Ashley Smith Robinson

By her own account, Ashley Smith is far from a hero. Yet today, her face is known around the world as the single mother who persuaded Brian Nichols, Atlanta’s courtroom killer, to surrender to police. Nichols called Ashley “an angel sent from God", but, ironically, it was Ashley’s less-than-angelic past that allowed her to convince him to face justice.

Elizabeth Ashley Copeland Smith was born August 1, 1978 in Augusta, Georgia, to a Christian, sports-loving family. Her parents divorced when she was a toddler, and she spent much of her early years in the company of her mother’s extended family - especially her grandfather and aunt. Both worked at Augusta Christian, the private school Ashley attended through 8th grade.

At a young age, she became involved with Mack Smith and became pregnant less than a year into the relationship. The couple married just two months before baby Paige was born prematurely, weighing less than 3 lbs. It was a volatile marriage, but Ashley Smith was determined to maintain her family. Life had become settled when Mack encountered his old gang one evening. Violent words were exchanged, and Mack was fatally stabbed by previous "friends."

Following Mack’s murder, Ashley willingly gave her Aunt Kim temporary custody of Paige, who was now a healthy three-and-a-half year old. Ashley desperately desired to be a mother to her daughter, but her addiction to methamphetamines was powerful. God continued calling, but Ashley put Him on hold as she flirted with destruction. However, her life dramatically on March 11, 2005, when Brian Nichols forced his way into her apartment following his deadly rampage at Atlanta’s Fulton County Courthouse. He asked for marijuana. Before thinking it through, she offered him her remaining stash of meth- the thing that had dragged her life down. Several miracles followed, which allowed her to talk to Nichols about God’s purpose for their meeting.

Among Ashley Smith's few possessions was a copy of Rick Warren’s “The Purpose Driven Life.” She was on chapter 32—“Using What God Gave You.” During her seven hours as Nichols’ hostage, she read from this chapter and encouraged him to consider how he might be able to serve God if he surrendered. He did so the following morning.

Ashley believes that God led her through her dark hours with Nichols and has called her to use the highly publicized experience to help unlikely angels everywhere find hope.

Today, Ashley Smith is back in active worship at Blackshear Place Baptist Church, attends weekly Bible study, and is living with her daughter Paige and new husband Daniel. She is involved with the Celebrate Recovery ministry at her Church and serves as a "newcomer's" group leader. She has returned to the familiar embrace of her extended, sports-loving family and has toured to promote “Unlikely Angel-The Untold Story of Atlanta’s Hostage Hero,” which debuted at on the New York Times Bestseller List. According to her wishes, some of the proceeds from the book will be donated to a memorial fund that will honor the victims of the courthouse tragedy.