FOXNews.com: Detective: Foul play possible in Fox exec's vanishing- Judge denies Drew Peterson mistrial

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Detective: Foul play possible in Fox exec's vanishing- Judge denies Drew Peterson mistrial Aug 2nd 2012, 20:01 Authorities probing the disappearance of a Hollywood executive and former UCLA basketball player say foul play is being "strongly" considered, with a detective telling FoxNews.com elements in the case "are just not right." Gavin Smith, a 20th Century Fox movie executive and former UCLA basketball player from West Hills, disappeared May 1 after driving away from a friend's Los Angeles-area home in his black Mercedes-Benz. There are circumstances surrounding Smith's disappearance that "are just not right," a law enforcement source told FoxNews.com Thursday.  Smith, 57, and his black Mercedes-Benz have not been found, the source said, and there has been no activity on his bank accounts. Smith, who was staying with a friend at the time of his disappearance, also left behind personal items at the home -- including a cellphone charger and shaving cream -- leading police to believe he had planned to return at some point.  No persons of interest or suspects in the case have been named publicly.  A detective with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed Thursday that the West Hills home of John and Chandrika Creech was searched in June in connection with Smith's disappearance.  John Creech, an admitted drug dealer, is now in police custody for an "unrelated matter," and has not been named a person of interest in the Smith case "at this point," the source said. He and his wife have retained a lawyer.  Creech, 39, was arrested by Glendale police in 2010 for making a drug drop and pleaded guilty, according to local reports. At a court appearance in June, he was remanded into custody by the judge. His sentencing hearing, which was set to happen last week, has been rescheduled for Aug. 29. Authorities, including homicide detectives and a SWAT team, seized boxes, a computer and a black SUV belonging to John Creech during their raid of the home, Fox affiliate KTTV reported. Another source close to the case told The Los Angeles Times that Smith, a married father of three, was having an affair with Chandrika Creech, whom he allegedly met while in therapy. Smith's family has remained largely silent, except for occasional tweets from Smith's oldest son, Evan, a forward for the USC men's basketball team. Smith worked in the movie industry for 18 years and helped distribute blockbuster hits such as "Avatar" and the "Star Wars" trilogy. The executive, who is 6 feet, 6 inches tall, was also a member of UCLA's 1975 national championship men's basketball team. He was staying with a friend at the time of his disappearance, but the reason remains unclear. A $20,000 reward is being offered for any tips leading to Smith. Anyone with information on the case is being urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department at 323-890-5500.

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