Teddy Kyle Smith Was a Successful Actor. Then, He Shot Two People and Claimed Mystical Creatures Made Him Do It

Teddy Kyle Smith, a once successful actor known for his role in the 2011 drama ‘On the Ice’, found himself at the center of a violent and chilling incident. In 2012, Smith shocked his community by shooting two hunters in northern Alaska and attributing his actions to mythical creatures from Iñupiaq culture. This startling revelation was explored in the 2025 Hulu documentary ‘Blood & Myth’, shedding light on a tale that strayed far from the typical motives of crime stories.

The documentary uncovered a complex web of events leading up to Smith’s violent outburst. Despite being a respected figure within his tribe for his authentic portrayal in ‘On the Ice’ at the Sundance Film Festival, Smith’s personal struggles were evident. Executive producer of ‘Blood & Myth’, James Dommek Jr., highlighted the challenges Smith faced in balancing his modern success with the traditional values of his tribe. Reports of erratic behavior and a history of run-ins with the law painted a tumultuous picture of Smith’s life.

In the midst of this turmoil, tragedy struck when Smith’s mother, Dolly Smith, was found dead under suspicious circumstances in September 2012. As authorities began investigating her death, Smith’s actions took a sinister turn. He reportedly fired a gun into a crowd outside his mother’s home and later encountered the two hunters, Paul and Charles Buckel, whom he shot during a confrontation. Smith’s subsequent attempt to escape the authorities by floating down the Squirrel River marked the beginning of a dramatic manhunt that ultimately led to his surrender.

Smith’s claims of being influenced by mythical beings known as Iñukuns added a surreal layer to an already baffling case. These “little people” from Iñupiaq folklore were said to have guided Smith’s violent behaviour, as he recounted in his police interrogations. Despite his conviction in 2014 on charges of attempted murder, assault, and robbery, Smith remained steadfast in his account of encountering the Iñukuns and the impact they had on his actions.

After being sentenced to 99 years in prison, Smith expressed remorse for his actions and acknowledged the gravity of his choices. Reflecting on his past, he recognised the need for growth and sought forgiveness from his victims. The journey from a promising actor to a convicted felon was marked by a series of tragic events and a descent into a realm of mythical influences that defied rational explanation.

The tale of Teddy Kyle Smith’s fall from grace serves as a cautionary reminder of the unpredictable and often inexplicable nature of human behaviour. Despite the accolades and acclaim he once enjoyed, Smith’s story is a poignant illustration of how external forces, whether real or imagined, can unravel even the most promising of lives. The complex interplay of personal struggles, cultural identity, and supernatural beliefs painted a haunting portrait of a man whose descent into darkness left a community reeling with shock and bewilderment.