Suspect in O.C. man’s slaying wrote about mistakes, salvation

In a blog post written two weeks after detectives say an Orange County Internet advertising executive killed his partner and covered up his death last year, the man wrote about mistakes he’d made and about finding salvation and redemption through religion.

Orange County prosecutors allege that Christopher Ryan Smith, a 32-year-old executive, was killed by Edward Younghoon Shin, 33, in their San Juan Capistrano office.

Shin then used Smith’s email account to contact Smith’s family and tell incredible tales of a journey across Africa and paragliding near Johannesburg before disappearing as he traveled to the Congo and Rwanda. Shin was arrested last week and charged with Smith’s killing. Detectives said Shin confessed to killing Smith and writing the emails last year but has not revealed what he did with Smith’s body.

Detectives searched Shin’s offices in Irvine on Friday and have been examining his computers and Internet postings, including one about the salvation of a hardened killer.

Shin wrote about his life being “nothing short of a roller coast ride” in a June 23, 2010, blog post,

“Though most of it was self imposed through a series of bad decisions guided by bad judgment, I can safely say that I am happy to be here,” he wrote. “Regardless of the outcome, at the end of the day it’s only about two things: 1. Your family and circle of friends and 2. Your faith.”

The blog post had a deeply religious message, with Shin thankful for God’s salvation. He called it “the ultimate gift.”

“Because no matter what, no matter if you are a hardened killer hanging on the cross just a few hours away from your death or born into a good Christian home whose family guides you to Jesus before you even commit serious sins, we are all people. People worthy of being saved by a higher power who was our Creator,” Shin wrote. “So yes, I’m sorry. And yes, one day I will make good the best way that I can on the things I’ve done. I can’t say when, but hopefully sooner than later.”

Orange County sheriff’s Sgt. Jim Amormino said homicide detectives were aware of the blog. “It says something that he is writing this so soon after,” Amormino said. “In all my years on the job…I haven’t seen a case like this, with so many unusual twists and turns.”

Although Shin did not specifically name Smith in the blog post, he acknowledged that he took “shortcuts” to get out of trouble. He also said most of his mistakes were made in business.

“When you are on the top by yourself, it’s very lonely and when you are immature and ill equipped to handle conflict because of character and under-developed integrity issues, you make mistakes,” he wrote.

He wrote that he looks at his life “with a heavy heart knowing the people that I’ve hurt along the way.” He said he hopes to “rectify everything in some small measures” and knows that it was “good enough in God’s eyes.”

In addition to Shin, authorities arrested his personal assistant, Kenny Roy Kraft, last week for allegedly helping Shin dispose of Smith’s belongings and vehicle. Kraft has pleaded not guilty. Shin has not entered a plea.

Steven Smith, Christopher Smith’s father, declined to comment on the blog post. But he reiterated his appeal for help finding his son’s body.

“Our family wants Christopher’s remains back. We want to know where Christopher is. Someone out there can help us.”

Amormino said the department was hoping someone would step forward with information on how Shin disposed of Smith’s body. “The family wants closure, and this would give them a measure of closure,” he said. Amormino asks anybody with information on the case to call the Orange County Sheriff’s Department homicide unit at (714) 647-4578. Calls can also be placed to (866) 847-6273.

richard.winton@latimes.com