Aryan Vito Smith was arrested on May 11, 2020 and charged in the February 5, 2018 murder of 22-year-old Treeanna Nichols in Westminster, California.
Nichols was staying at the Quality Inn in Westminster when she was killed in her room. At around 3:00 pm, video surveillance footage shows a man in a hoodie walking up the stairs, and then leaving soon after. He was seen vaping a substance.
Nichols’s body was found a short time later during a welfare check. She had been stabbed multiple times.
The FGG investigation was conducted by Parabon Nanolabs. The case received an important break in April of 2020, when a distant relative of Smith uploaded their DNA to GEDmatch. A search warrant was issued to obtain Smith’s DNA.
Smith is charged with murder with the use of a deadly weapon. The case against him is pending in Orange County Superior Court.
Sources:
Fausto, Alma. “Man Charged in 2018 Death of Pasadena Woman Who Was Found Stabbed in Westminster Motel.” Orange County Register, May 11, 2020. Accessed December 27, 2020. https://www.ocregister.com/2020/05/11/man-charged-in-2018-death-of-pasadena-woman-who-was-found-stabbed-in-westminster-motel/.
Peralta, Jessica. “Westminster Police Department Releases Suspect Photos and Video in Connection with Feb. 5 Hotel Homicide, Seeks Information.” Behind the Badge, March 15, 2018. Accessed December 27, 2020. https://behindthebadge.com/wpd-releases-suspect-photos-video-connection-feb-5-hotel-homicide-seeks-information-public/?fbclid=IwAR1PX28tO2kcw1FBF7WER2AA-zNK4qU9tG7GMRzChJPkTH3pjAVvfuTJ7Zg#:~:text=The%20officers%20found%20Nichols%20dead,was%20murdered%20February%205%2C%202018.
Zint, Bradley. “Westminster Police Make Arrest in 2018 Murder Case Thanks to First-Ever Use of DNA Company.” Behind the Badge, November 11, 2020. Accessed December 27, 2020. https://behindthebadge.com/westminster-police-make-arrest-in-2018-murder-case-thanks-to-first-ever-use-of-dna-company/.