Susan Smith, convicted to life in prison for the 1994 murder of her two children

news were given access to two of Smith's letters expressing his desire to meet his long-distance partner in person

Susan Smith, the notorious South Carolina woman who murdered her two sons in 1994, sent a "romantic correspondence" to a man outside the prison, two sources with direct knowledge told news.

Smith, now 50, is serving a life sentence at Lit Penitentiary in Greenwood, South Carolina. His time behind bars was filled with discipline, including illegal drug use, self-mutilation, and sexual contact with correctional officers.

But lately, Smith has been acting modestly to be released on parole in November 2024. A family member told news that he had started a new long-distance relationship, which he hopes will continue when he is released.

"They write letters all the time," said the family member. "They started about a year ago. First, a handwritten letter about their future: he is very romantic, he always wants to be happy forever.

Another source confirmed the correspondence, telling news that Smith sends "a few letters a week."

The man, in his 40s, lives outside Columbia, South Carolina. She works in home construction and is divorced with two grown children. She wrote to Smith after watching a television documentary about him, and their long-distance love blossomed.

PEOPLE have seen parts of the two letters. In one letter, Smith told her husband about her days, writing, "I look forward to seeing you soon [face to face]." He thanked him for his recent letter in a second letter, saying, "I can't believe I could." fall in love with someone I've never met." Smith is one of the most notorious prisoners in South Carolina history.

On October 25, 1994, Smith, then 23, told police that he had been kidnapped by a black man who had fled with his two young sons, who were still in their car. For nine days, she wept on national television for her safe return.

But it's all a lie.

As the story begins to unravel, Smith admits there was no collage and that he let his car roll in the lake with Michael, 3, and Alex, 14 months, still strapped in the car seat.

Her motive: She is secretly dating a man who doesn't want children. This story made international headlines, even on the cover of news. Smith was convicted of two murders and is serving a life sentence.