Cathy Smith

For the Australian cricketer, see Cathy Smith (cricketer). For persons with similar name, see Kathy Smith (disambiguation).
Cathy Smith
Born
Catherine Evelyn Smith

(1947-04-25)April 25, 1947
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
DiedAugust 16, 2020(2020-08-16) (aged 73)
Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada
Occupation(s)Rock groupie, backup singer
Criminal chargeInvoluntary manslaughter of John Belushi (1982) Possession of 2 grams of heroin (1991)
Criminal penalty15 months in prison (1982), 1 year of probation and a CDN$2000 fine (1991)

Catherine Evelyn Smith (April 25, 1947 – August 16, 2020), also known as Cathy "Silverbag" Smith,[1][2] was a Canadian backup singer, groupie, drug dealer, and legal secretary. Smith served 15 months in the California Institution for Women for injecting actor John Belushi with a fatal dose of heroin and cocaine in 1982.[3][4][5]

Smith had been paid for a front-page headline story in the Hollywood tabloid the National Enquirer,[6] where she stated she was the person who injected Belushi with a fatal drug overdose. Smith co-wrote the book Chasing the Dragon (1984)[7] which told her life story; its title alludes to Smith's heroin addiction. Smith appeared prominently in the Bob Woodward book Wired: The Short Life and Fast Times of John Belushi (1984) and was played by Patti D'Arbanville in the 1989 film adaptation.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Gone 25 years, Belushi's impact still felt". TODAY.com.
  4. ^ "Citation for Hamilton, Ontario birthplace: Cathy Smith". Retrieved 2007-01-30.
  5. ^ Wheeler, Brad (26 August 2020). "Cathy Smith, who admitted to killing John Belushi, was a woman of mystery". The Globe and Mail.
  6. ^ "Belushi Case Judge Holds 2 Reporters in Contempt". The New York Times. June 12, 1985. Retrieved April 7, 2007.
  7. ^ "Book: "Chasing the Dragon"". Retrieved 2007-01-30.