WILLIAM RYAN LOOPER | SC Man Gets Life in Prison for Vicious Sexual Assault and Murder of Toddler. An Investigator Called This Case ‘By Far the Worst’ He’s ‘Ever Seen.’ | Autographed Letter, Signed

William R. Looper. Autographed Letter, Signed. Handwritten, Commercial #10 (4.125 × 9.5 envelope). Atlanta GA. May 24, 2024. Content unknown. SEALED.

The circumstances surrounding the murder committed by William Looper are deeply disturbing. According to reports, Looper was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to murder and other charges related to the death of a 2-year-old boy. He admitted to investigators that he had beaten and abused the child, Brantley Justin Smith, for two weeks but could not explain why. The toddler was found with bruises and bite marks across his body, as well as signs of sexual abuse.

When paramedics arrived at the home in Laurens, South Carolina, in June 2018, they found a dog beside the boy's lifeless body that would not let anyone approach. The boy's older brothers, aged 6 and 8, told investigators they heard their brother's screams throughout the night when he was killed.

Looper's guilty plea covered charges of murder, first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, and two counts of unlawful neglect of a child. Prosecutors agreed not to pursue the death penalty in exchange for a life sentence without the possibility of parole as part of the deal. Looper expressed remorse for his actions while addressing the judge in court, though he acknowledged that an apology would not suffice.

The boy’s mother, 30-year-old Jessica Blake Smith, was working at Walmart when her son died. She had been dating William Looper for several weeks and was out of the house when most of the abuse happened.

Smith is charged with homicide by child abuse and two counts of unlawful neglect of a child. Her case is still pending.

A family friend of the boy’s grandparents said his brothers are getting intensive therapy after the death and their mother’s arrest.

“We have no idea the horrors that Bobby and Brian endured and witnessed in their own home, but we know that they will never be the same after what they had to see and endure,” Diane Smith said as she read the family’s statement.

The abuse in this case was some of the most horrific deputies and prosecutors said they have even seen. Several sought counseling.

“All too often, they deal with the worst of the worst,” it was said. “They have to put their emotions in their pockets.”

VIDEO: William Ryan Looper, Jessica Smith... The Murder of Brantley Smith. | https://youtu.be/TketqQCbbWM

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