Alize Q. Smith, 24 years old of Huntley charged in three counts of 1st degree murder, in triple homicide

By Anne Eickstadt

EDITOR

Belvidere Police Chief Shane Woody called a press conference on Wednesday, Jan. 5, to address updates on the triple homicide of Andrew Hintt and his sons that appalled Belvidere residents.

Deputy Chief Patrick Gardner began by clarifying the purpose of the press conference and said that following the statements the press would not be able to ask any questions to preserve the integrity of the investigation. Chief Woody then took his place at the podium.

“On Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, at 9:43 p.m., the Belvidere Police Department initiated an investigation into the homicide of Andrew Hintt and his two sons ages 5 and 7, at 628 Union Ave., Belvidere. During the course of the investigation Belvidere detectives discovered Alize Q. Smith, 24 years old of Huntley, was with Andrew and the two boys on the morning of Dec. 19, 2021.

“On Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021, following autopsies of the deceased, Boone County Coroner, Rebecca Wigget classified the deaths of Andrew and his two sons as homicides.

Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021, the Belvidere Police Department was contacted by the U.S. Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force advising they had taken Alize into custody on an Illinois Department Of Corrections (IDOC) warrant for parole violations.

“Belvidere detectives interviewed Alize at the Belvidere Police Department. Alize was lodged into the Boone County Adult Detention Center on the unrelated IDOC warrant with no bond.

“On Dec. 21, 2021 the Huntley Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service and Belvidere Police detectives executed a search warrant for a residence in the 11000 block of Timer Drive in Huntley where several pieces of evidence were seized from the residence.

“Over the course of the past fifteen days, investigators have followed leads, conducted interviews, executed search warrants, and collected evidence.

“On Jan. 5, 2022, detectives of the Belvidere Police Department reviewed the details of the investigation with the Boone County States Attorney Tricia Smith. The state’s attorney authorized three counts of first degree murder against Alize Q. Smith.

“Alize Q. Smith is in custody and lodged in Boone County Corrections with no bond. Each count of first degree murder carries a penalty up to life in prison.”

State’s Attorney Tricia Smith then stepped up to the microphone. “It is my job to ensure that justice is served. I reviewed the charges against Alize Q. Smith and approved three charges of first degree murder. A first degree murder charge carries a mandatory penalty of 20 to 60 years in a correctional institution. Two or more convictions of first degree murder demand a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment with 100 percent of the sentence to be served–no possibility of parole. He is being held without bail.

“Smith’s first court appearance is Thursday, Jan. 6.”

Mayor Clint Morris said, “On behalf of the entire community, we extend our sympathies to the family. Our thoughts and prayers can never remove your grief.

“My thanks to Chief Woody and the Belvidere Police Department for their diligence in ensuring that justice is served.”

The investigation is ongoing and Belvidere Police are looking for any further information the public may have regarding this investigation, including the location of Andrew Hintt’s stolen vehicle, a silver 2018 Jeep Cherokee Trackhawk assigned Illinois registration plate CT92923. The license plates may have been removed from the vehicle.

Anyone with information pertaining to this investigation is encouraged to contact, 24 hours a day, the Belvidere Police Department at 815-544-2135. Anonymous reports can be made by contacting Boone County Crimestoppers at 815-547-7867 or online at boonecountycrimestoppers.com. Persons with information leading to an arrest can be awarded a cash reward.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available.