Parents hold 20-year anniversary ceremony to honor murdered daughter's memory

FRIENDSWOOD, Texas (KTRK) -- The Friendswood Police Department crime victim assistance program hosted a remembrance ceremony in honor of Laura Smither Monday morning, on the 20th anniversary of the day she went missing.

"This word closure -- there's no such thing as closure on love," said Laura's mother, Gay Smither. "It just doesn't exist. What there is, is resolution, and that's very important."

Resolution is in sight for the Smithers, as William Reece, their daughter's accused killer, makes his way through the Oklahoma court system. Reece is in custody there, charged with capital murder in the case of Tiffany Johnston, another young woman he allegedly kidnapped and killed before coming to Texas.

RELATED: The story of Laura Smither's disappearance

"I have been assured he will never breathe another breath of free air no matter what happens,"said Laura's father Bob Smither.

District Attorney Jack Roady said Reece's Galveston County cases of the alleged murders of Laura Smither and Jessica Cain are on hold.

"We expect that Reece will eventually return to Texas to face charges here. Of course, we're in regular communication with Oklahoma County as well, and we will continue to be in contact with them so we can make sure, once they're done with their case, we can continue to seek resolution in our cases," Roady said.

Last year, Reece also led investigators to the body of Kelli Cox, a young woman from the Dallas area, who also went missing in the '90s.

Reece has not yet been charged with her murder.

"If he does receive the death penalty in Oklahoma, he probably would never even make it to that sentencing because of the long process of appeals, and his health is not good," Gay said. "Really, the most important thing is that we know the person responsible for harming all these girls will never be able to harm another young woman."

Reece's next hearing in Oklahoma is set for April 21.

Report a typo to the ABC13 staff