Shady Side Man Charged In Couple's Murders: Police

SHADY SIDE, MD — A Shady Side manhas been charged with second-degree in the June 1 shooting deaths of a local couple after an argument, Anne Arundel County Police said Tuesday. Authorities said Leslie Michael Smith, 48, and Linda Lynn McKenzie, 44, were killed when gunshots were reported in the area of Scott Town Road and Nick Road in Shady Side.

The victims were romantically involved and lived together on a boat on Rock Hold Creek in Deale, police spokesman Lt. Ryan Frashure said. Smith and McKenzie were found about 12:30 a.m. on June 1 lying in the area of Scott Town Road, suffering from gunshot injuries, and they were pronounced dead at the scene.

Both bodies were taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, where autopsies were performed to determine the exact cause and manner of death. Those results, released Friday, said both Smith and McKenzie died from gunshots and the deaths were homicides.

Kirk Byron Matthews, 56, of the 5900 block of Shady Side Road, was named as a suspect, police say, when investigators learned that Matthews and the victims knew each other and had argued. Police say the altercation led to the murders. Officials have not said when the three argued, how Matthews knew the couple, or what they argued about.

According to Maryland online court records, Matthews was arrested and jailed on June 3 on a charge of being a felon in possession of a weapon.

Matthews was charged with two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault and firearm use in a felony violent crime. A detainer has been placed against Matthews for the murders of Smith and McKenzie. He remains incarcerated at the Anne Arundel County Detention Center.

Investigators say the shootings were a targeted incident and not a random act of violence.

The Anne Arundel County Police Department is offering up to a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the deaths of Smith and McKenzie. Anyone with information on the murders of Leslie Smith and Linda McKenzie is asked to contact the Anne Arundel County Homicide Unit at 410-222-4731.

Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous may call the Anne Arundel County Police Tip Line 410-222-4700 or call your tip in to Metro Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-866-7LOCKUP or text “MCS plus your message” to CRIMES (274637).

»Photos of Kirk Matthews, Leslie Smith and Linda McKenzie, courtesy of Anne Arundel County Police