The ex-wife of an accountant accused of fatally stabbing a California doctor after fleeing reportedly feared for her safety in the weeks leading up to the incident.
Wayne Roy Evan Smith, 39, is accused of running over and stabbing 58-year-old Michael Maimon to death as the emergency room physician rode his motorcycle in the coastal town of Dana Point.
Police were reportedly called to check on the welfare of Smith’s ex-wife days before the murder because “something Mr. Smith was involved with”. According to the New York Post.
Smith’s ex-father-in-law, Stanley Hart, told the outlet that his daughter was “concerned for her safety before” and that Smith had “issues.”
Suspect in stabbing California doctor talked about ‘white privilege’ during attack, witness says
Wayne Roy Smith, 39, is accused of murdering Dr. Michael Maimon last week. (Orange County District Attorney’s Office)
“It wasn’t that I didn’t believe it, but I couldn’t imagine it,” Hart said. “It’s got some issues, that’s all I can say. If the authorities do their due diligence, they’ll probably determine pretty quickly what those issues are.”
Hart went on to say that Smith and her daughter were involved in a custody battle over their twin daughters.
Smith’s friend Joe A. Gilliam told the Post that he believed Smith had not seen his children recently.
California doctor stabbed to death on bike ride remembered by colleagues for saving ‘many lives’
Dr. Michael Maimon, 58, was killed last week by a motorcyclist who rammed his bicycle and then attacked him, officials said. (Providence Mission Hospital Laguna Beach)
“It’s ridiculous. I’m devastated. I just talked to him on the 23rd, and he said he’s doing fine, but he’s going through some things,” she added. Smith was closed and he stopped his work. The accounting business in the weeks leading up to the alleged murder.
“Something had to trigger it because it’s not him,” Gilliam speculated.
Smith’s former client Alice Smith, who is not related to the alleged killer, said she spent most of her time alone and never mentioned her twin girls.
Michael Maimon was hit by a car and stabbed in Dana Point, California last week. (Heather Paul via Getty Images)
“I don’t know his personal life, I only know his business side,” she said. “I’m very shocked by all of this. The Evan I know is not the Evan… he was a lovely, respectful man. Nothing negative. He’s a man who took the shirt off his back. “
An anonymous witness who spoke to the ABC affiliate said Smith muttered something about “white privilege” during the incident.
The neighbor, who declined to be interviewed on camera, said he and his family heard gunshots before the attack against Memon, and then the suspect yelling racial slurs. According to ABC7. Police have not yet released a motive.
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