Convicted murderer files notice of appeal in Holts Summit case

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A woman who was convicted of murder and other charges in a 2025 Holts Summit shooting has filed a notice of appeal.

Heather Smith filed a notice of appeal on Monday to the Western District Court of Missouri. She was found guilty on April 23 of felony murder, three counts of unlawful use of a weapon and a count of armed criminal action. She was sentenced on July 23 to 32 years in prison.

Smith was found guilty of killing 37-year-old Kara Dills at Hunter Lane Apartments in April 2025.

In April 2025, police were called to the Hunter Lane Apartments, where Smith shot Dills after their children got into an altercation while riding bikes in the apartment complex, according to court documents.

Allegedly, Smith confronted Dills twice before the shooting, with Dills' sister allegedly confronting Smith in between. Several witnesses alleged that Smith flashed a gun tucked into her waistband at Dills' mother during one of the confrontations.

On the day of the shooting, Dills allegedly pistol-whipped Smith and walked away. When the gun struck Smith, it went off and grazed a bystander's head. Smith then fired a shot into Dills' stomach.