A court was informed that Herbert Swilley is facing allegations of creating a GoFundMe page following the suspected poisoning and “neck-breaking” of his spouse. The incident occurred on March 23, 2023, when Timothy Smith, aged 59, was discovered dead in his Florida residence by the authorities.
It was reported that Swilley administered a significant dose of diphenhydramine to his husband, causing him to lose consciousness, before physically assaulting and strangling him to death. Subsequently, Swilley purportedly transported the body to another property they owned and orchestrated a crime scene to implicate one of their intimate partners.
Afterward, Swilley initiated a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for a memorial service for his deceased partner. The campaign stated that Smith, aged 55, had passed away unexpectedly, calling it one of the most challenging moments to share.
The fundraiser managed to collect nearly £3,000 out of a £6,000 target before being removed. During the court proceedings, prosecutors highlighted that the couple’s eight-year marriage had deteriorated, especially after Smith became the primary breadwinner while Swilley relied on his income to sustain their desired lifestyle.
Allegedly, Swilley became resentful over time as he continued working as a handyman. The prosecutors pointed out that the couple faced alcohol-related challenges and sought assistance, but conflicts arose once they stopped drinking.
Meanwhile, it was disclosed that Smith was exploring job opportunities in a different location to potentially separate from Swilley. Swilley reportedly expressed discontent to a friend about Smith’s intentions to leave him for a job in another county.
Swilley was said to be enraged and felt deceived, believing that Smith owed him. He allegedly had plans to benefit from a life insurance policy and retirement plan, aiming to prevent any resistance from Smith. The prosecution claimed that Swilley executed the attack using diphenhydramine, ensuring that Smith was incapacitated during the assault.
The trial is ongoing.
