"He was very close to the shop looking at a home with a friend of his who was a realtor, when he received a phone call from Scott," said Lorraine. You will find on this page information about the unsolved homicides being. "We know with the time that has passed, many people have heard about this case," a news release from the sheriff's office said. Dateline and Chain of Events. The witness ran for help and asked people in a nearby house to call 911. This case is unsolved. Lori Reaves Richardson, Charleston/Columbia, SC vtengr4047/Flickr NY Post Composite HAMPTON, S.C. Maggie Kennedy Branstetter was a pretty blond sorority girl at the University of South. ( NewsNation) The murder clearance rate hit an all-time low in 2020, and data analyzed by a nonprofit shows that trend continued last year. "They never bothered anyone," Ken Coggins, minister of music at Second Baptist Church in Clifton, told the Herald-Journal at the time. But the man has died. (and Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act ", More: Gunshot deaths, reports down in Spartanburg after violent summer; residents push forward. Another year, and it seems like it was an eternity, Maxine Kennedy said. On August 9, 1976, two unidentified homicide victims, later nicknamed . He searches through the notes of other investigators who have worked the cases and he tries to think of other ways to get evidence tested. Murder In 2021, only . I don't have a bit of faith in them. CLIFTON, S.C. . Ad Choices. The cards are also available to the public and all Crime Stopper organization in SC. "I said 'We worked hard for that baby, we had to have medical procedures to have this baby, I know he's the father of my baby,'" said Melissa. Authorities have charged Kohlhepp, 45, with four counts of. "She was from the generation that had 'stickability.'". The suspects have not been identified and the case is unsolved. The Sheriff's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer Mary Johnson, 77; her husband, Thomas Johnson, 81; and her son David Johnson, 43, were found stabbed to death in 1993. 11-06-03 Superbike Motorsports Chesnee, S.C. Unsolved for 3 years, 3 months and 12 days Victims: Scott Ponder, Brian Lucas, Beverly Guy and Christopher Sherbert . Wright said the killer was neighbor Roger Wayne Switzer, who died of a heart attack in 2008. After entering the home, two people were discovered deceased. These cases are still open and are being investigated by detectives from the Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office. Her contact number is 864-503-4556, and her email address is dlestage@spartanburgcounty.org. And was someone willing to kill because of it? Violent crimes in Spartanburg are 303% higher than the national average. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Cold cases and unsolved crimes in Horry County, SC. Officers discovered the victim was shot once. THE REWARD POSTER WILL START RUNNING TODAY AND WILL CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS. Once on scene, officers were informed by witnesses that the victim, Leonard Lee Lyles III, was standing near the roadwhen he was shot. Pedestrian Killed in Hit and Run Accident. Herald-Journal 0:06 1:07 Spartanburg Police Department indicates eight homicides resulting in 11 deaths in 2021 have been solved, according to Police Maj. Art Littlejohn. Given the growth of our sub over the last eight months, I'm revisiting . Gary said Bradshaw had been into drugs, but had been clean for a while. Police then talkedto Danas husband, Mike, who downplayed stories that the couples marriage was in trouble. But when it came to mechanic Chris Sherbert, one of the newest employees at Superbikes Motorsports, rumors of a possible drug connection began to swirl. According to the witnesses, the unknown male refused to leave and approached the front door with his hands in his pocket. The witness saidthe Vick vehicle was not a perfect match with the one hed seen, though. According to the witness, that was only moments before the shooting. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. Its been 14 years since Maxine Kennedy learned that her granddaughter, Crystal Bradshaw, had been killed. David was the oldest. Those hopes were dashed, though, when Quinns DNA didnt match the rape kit evidence. But what if the victim was their friend or loved one? Larry James Smith, 44, was brutally beaten with a hammer on Dec. 3, 1987, and died of his injuries in 1988. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. "I was one of probably the second or third or maybe fourth to get there. And there were even more damning clues: On the last day of his life, Brian Lucas was looking at a new house, apparently without his wife's knowledge. Mechanic Chris Sherbert's body is found in the back of the shop, bent over as though he were working on a bike. "[Scott's wife] Melissa was newly pregnant, and after the baby was born they did do a DNA test on a diaper they took from there," said Lorraine. All four victims were transported by ambulance to Spartanburg Medical Center to be treated for their injuries. Neighbors were interviewed. The suspect, Franklin Loden, was arrested later and charged with assault and battery high and aggravated. When the victim in a homicide is married, those are standard questions. Another son was killed in a car accident 10 years earlier. The Greenville County Sheriff's Office was called inbecause the Spartanburg Police Department, Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office, and the S.C. Law Enforcement Division were all involved in the case. How do you go on with your life? (Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office) Anyone . The shooter has not been located and the case is unsolved. "Brian Lucas and Scott Ponder were both found dead. Those are the things you start telling yourself: Did I bring home the wrong baby from the hospital? If you have any information about the murder of this family, call the Anderson County Sheriff's Office at (864) 260-4400 or call the Anderson Area Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC. Science doesnt lie, said Gregory, adding that the team was back to square one.. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WYFF-TV. Input your search keywords and press Enter. He said investigators had some suspects, but they lacked evidence linking anyone to the crime. I hope whoever this is that took her mothership away from her, if he/she/whoever has a mother, I hope he will think of his mother, Kennedy said. The encounter left her shaken, but she was able to give investigators details needed to create a composite sketch to be released. In other cases, they may no longer be afraid the killer will come after them. Whatever the motive, this horrific case still remains unsolved and police need the public's help bringing the killer to justice. A decade after the murder, they learned that Vicks DNA matched the rape kit evidence. Missing Persons my Neighborhood alarm registration File a report Why her? When human remains are found and the identity of the deceased person is unknown, this unit provides artistic renderings of what the victim/person may have looked like in life. In all of the unsolved homicide cases, Gary has re-interviewed witnesses. Police hurried to the salon, where they found a woman who appeared to have been strangled with a duffel bag strap and was left hanging from a hot water heater. "We continue to receive tips through social media. Warner Bros. Entertainment | Days after the brutal killing, Vick, then 17, threatened his life, Pace said, so he kept his mouth shut. 2. Robbery was deemed doubtful because the house was not ransacked and there was no forced entry, former Sheriff's Office spokesman Mike Little said at the time. UPDATE Nov. 5: The Spartanburg County sheriff said Todd Kohlhepp, a sex offender accused of chaining up an Anderson woman and slaying her boyfriend, reportedly confessed to authorities that he is responsible for the murder of four victims in a motorsports store more than a decade ago. But after supplying a solid alibi and passing a polygraph test, he was cleared as a suspect. The suspect was arrested a few days later based on investigative findings. Her death is still unsolved, and 7 News spoke with her family about. After the fire was called in, neighbors gathered outside. Blood stains were found in the kitchen, in the den around the telephone, and on a chair, according to Seay. Anyone with information to please contact Investigator Diane Lestage. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. 48 Cause of Death. But after several months, the investigation stalls. White Sr. Blvd. Nothing was missing and there was no evidence of a sexual assault, he said. "They extensively interviewed Melissa and I know that our daughter-in-law was spoken to at the house," said Lorraine. Spartanburg violent crime is 55.7. "The only reasonable explanation here would be that I got the wrong baby. (Spinx Station), officers responded to Concord Avenue and Norris Street. Mary Johnson, 77; her husband, Thomas Johnson, 81; and her son David Johnson, 43, were all found stabbed to death at their home at 270 Cedar St. in Clifton on Jan. 9, 1993.On Friday, Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright held a news conference to discuss the case and announced a reward. Privacy Policy | In partnership with spartanburg, s.c. -- A South Carolina man suspected of being a serial killer was formally charged with three additional counts of murder Monday for bodies found buried on his land. Greenville Journal. The only surviving son was Keith Johnson, who declined to be interviewed by a reporter the day after the gruesome discovery. And of course, we have our legendary tale of the "swamp man." "We don't give up on these cases. Police then talkedto Danas husband, Mike, who downplayed stories that the couples marriage was in trouble. You put them in your heart and hold them there, and you know what kind of person she was, and you hold on to your memories and you never let them go, she said. And Scott Ponder's was closer to the parked cars here in the parking lot.". Police immediately canvassed the area, but the search failed to turn up a lead. Investigators finally got a potential lead: atip from an inmate who said his cellmate, Russell Quinn, carried a picture of Dana Satterfield and said he was involved in the crime. THAT NUMBER IS LISTED ON Y. In some of the cases, detectives think they know who did it, but dont have enough evidence to make an arrest and successfully prosecute the case in court, Gary said. 6 talking about this. The Sheriff's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer The victim, who had bruises on her body, was suspended an inch or so above the floor. We Connect. And no arrests were made. We Inform. among 46 cases in Spartanburg County dating back to 1970. Mary Johnson, 77; her husband, Thomas . "Strangely enough Brian was looking at a home without any knowledge from his wife," said Lorraine Lucas. Seven minutes later Noel stumbled upon four people murdered in cold blood. After the first day or two, it gets more difficult, Gary said. News of the triple murder spread quickly through the mill village of 2,000 residents. Only one person in Bradshaws life has a fire background and that person is not being 100 percent cooperative with investigators, Gary said. In some cases, people may be ready to tell what they know to get it off their chests, he said. Together as a community, we can bring justice for this family. planned to visit Dana the night she died, according to Pace. 'It was chaos': Neighbors describe tense Spartanburg standoff scene near Cleveland Park. Could he have committed the crime or hired someone else to carry it out? Each Internet browser has a different method of accessing these keys: Please note: Internet Explorer users may also need to hit the enter key to activate a link. A mother. Spartanburg County Sheriff's Department hide caption toggle caption Quadrupel Murders in Chesnee, SC 11/6/2003 A very Hot Case, need your help. The attached picture is not the actual suspect vehicle, but it is a similar make and model. [Spartanburg City] On July 19, 2001, Duane Trout Brock (W/M - 37) was shot while at the intersection of Ridge and Vernon Streets in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Then, finally, after 18 long months -- vindication. On July 21, the body of Alonzo Brooks whose . The Richland County Cold Case Squad was formed to provide closure to family members of those who have been murdered and hold offenders accountable for what they have done. Outraged, Melissa demanded a second DNA test, but the results were the same. "And they pulled me in a room and shut the door. To date, no one has been charged for killing Maggie and Paul Murdaugh, who were shot to death multiple times near dog kennels on the 1,700-acre property. . I cant say he did it. The playing cards are distributed . The evidence was compelling, but investigators needed a written statement from Pace as well as Vicks DNA sample to advance their case. Spartanburg, SC 29303. The charges were upgraded later. The evidence in some is better than in others.. "About two weeks before his death I was trying to have a conversation with him and his wife was sitting behind him and making faces. A year went by, then two. Dana Satterfield was brutally attacked and left hanging from a heater in her salon. The playing cards are distributed in all of SC 28 Correction Facilities as well as local jails and detention centers. The fire probably destroyed some evidence, but not all. They had lived in the five-room mill village house for about 35 years, and had three sons. Witnesses told police that the victim was speaking with another male when shots were fired. They never would let us see her, because they said it would be too hard, Kennedy said. The Spartanburg County sheriff's office has . Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Delta 88. The victim died later at the hospital of his injuries. In the days, weeks and months that followed, no motive could be determined. Both victims, Ronald Glenn and Matthew Booker Jr., suffered from blunt force trauma to the head and face. Days after the brutal killing, Vick, then 17, threatened . Sign up for our e-newsletters or subscribe to get our print publications. The oldest case Gary is working on dates back to 1970. The SLED Forensic Art Unit assists local law enforcement agencies in Unidentified Remains cases. The victim, who had bruises on her body, was suspended an inch or so above the floor. Police knew that prison chatter wasnt necessarily solid, but when Harris identified a mug shot of Quinn from a photo array as the man she saw jump from the shop window they had a reason to be more confident. Potentially every one of these cases could be cleared, said William Gary, the investigator assigned to the departments cold cases. Then, her home, on Northbrook Drive in Boiling Springs, was set on fire. But Wright is a person of interest they'll never get the chance to question. At this time, police can't say for sure in either case. This site contains a number of keyboard shortcuts, called "accesskeys," to assist in navigating. Investigators released a sketch to the public. Though theawful ache of losing her mother has never gone away, her daughter Ashley has helped herself heal by becoming a dedicated victims advocate. No ID or clothing was found at the scene. "At that point in time the lead detective said to me 'We now have two DNA tests that show that he's not the father of your baby,'" said Melissa. The driver of the motorcycle was killed and a female passenger was severely injured. Bradshaw's murder is one of 40 unsolved homicide cases for the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office. I said, Oh no, thats not my Crystal. On July 23, around 9:03 p.m., officers responded to 151 Palisade St.in reference to a drive-by shooting. "There are some people that have direct knowledge but whatever information you have, please call to report what you know about this case. Missing front bumper strip and turn signal Ponder's friend Noel spoke to him before he drove to the shop on the morning of Nov. 6, 2003. Three months after the murders, daughter-in-law Elizabeth Johnson, the surviving son Keith's wife, expressed frustration at extensive questioning of her and her husband. Fear Spreads In Community After Dana Satterfields Murder. Saturday, February 3, 2007. Jonathan Vick, the son of Mary Ann Vick, planned to visit Dana the night she died, according to Pace. New evidence from a triple homicide in Spartanburg County in 1993 is now being analyzed by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. The Charleston Police Department has six unsolved cases out of 16 homicide investigations last year: On Jan. 16, Seth Coleman, 34, was fatally shot in his West Ashley home. Dana was discovered partially naked, and detectives suspected that there had been a sexual assault. In one case, the suspect died five years later, but the case is still open. Is your conscious turned off?. He said the family is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the prosecution of the person responsible for this crime. 8045 Howard St. It is believed that the subjects were attempting to rob his neighbor's apartment. An electronic billboard about the case and the new reward is also now up next to the Sub Station on East Main Street in Spartanburg. She was shocked to see a young man jump out the window. Here is a brief look at each homicide case in 2021, as provided by the Spartanburg Police Department: On Jan. 15, officers responded to 688 Asheville Highway in reference to a shooting. Bob Montgomery, Herald-Journal. Prior to police arrival, the homeowner and others asked the unknown male to leave the property a second time. Witnesses said the man tried to stop anybody from going into the house. There have been four decks produced. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. WITH THE ADVANCEMENT OF ADN TECHNOLOGY, DEPUTIES SAY THEY HAVE EVIDENCE BEING EXAMINEDY B SLED THAT WILL GIVE NEW INFORMATION ON THIS CASE. Spartanburg, SC 29303. He may have wanted to leave because he had warrants on him. Coroner's Case Number C-98-8289 ( NamUs Number UP8962) On May 13, 1998 the nude body of an unidentified female of Asian descent was found on the frontage road adjacent to the south bound lane of I- 85 ( Casual Dr). Spartanburg Police Department indicates eight homicides resulting in 11 deaths in 2021 have been solved, according to Police Maj. Art Littlejohn. In Spartanburg you have a 1 in 13 chance of becoming a victim of crime. Login; . Its possible this person just saw the fire and it captured his attention. Owner Scott Ponder, Ponder's mother Beverly Guy, service manager Brian Lucas and mechanic Chris Sherbert were all found fatally shot on November 6, 2003. The elder Johnsons were retired from Clifton Mill Number Two. She was also a mother. Motorcyclist Killed in Collision at Hwy 221 and South Ave. Man who confessed to killing 90 people helps SC sheriff solve cold case It wasn't a far-fetched idea. "He had looked at several different properties.". Mary Johnson, 77; her husband, Thomas Johnson, 81; and her son David Johnson, 43, were all found stabbed to death at their home at 270 Cedar St. in Clifton on Jan. 9, 1993. They scoured Roebuck for the vehicle and turned up a possible match: Mary Ann Vick, one of Dana's customers, had a similar car. A couple hours later, Harris returned to the shop area, where she waited for her ride. Police found another body Sunday buried at Kohlhepp's property where a woman was found chained in a metal container last week, Spartanburg County officials said. The victim was shot several times in his legs and upper body. Detectives turned their attention to a witness report ofseeing a white and blue vehicle in the area that raised a red flag. On Sept. 5, around 9:50 p.m., officers responded to 601 Farley Ave. in reference to a disturbance where shots were being fired. Apple users with Spaces enabled may need to use the accesskey for Skip to the main navigation (A); then, TAB through the navigation and press "enter" to activate a link. But the Clifton triple-homicide stumped investigators. Gary said she died of blunt force trauma, likely several hours before the fire was discovered. Detectives turned their attention to a witness report ofseeing a white and blue vehicle in the area that raised a red flag. Thats where the investigation into the brutal murder stayed for a decade. In 1963, the homicide clearance rate nationwide was 91 percent. At 8:33 p.m., Philadelphia Police officers responded to the scene and found Isaiah lying in the street. The 28-year-old mother had been separated from her husband for several months and had recently purchased a home on Northbrook Street off Highway 9 in Boiling Springs. Contact Bob Montgomery at bob.montgomery@shj.com, Gunshot deaths, reports down in Spartanburg after violent summer; residents push forward. Christopher Reese's 2014 murder in Notus, Idaho remains unsolved. On July 1, officers responded to 225 Amelia St. in reference to a shooting at Cleveland Park. Isaiah Odom was struck by gunfire on the 1200 block of South 23rd Street on Thursday, February 2, 2023. SC Unsolved Homicide Playing Cards. for Employment of Handicapped). On November 6th, 2003, four people Brian Thomas Lucas, Scott Ponder, Beverly Guy and Chris Sherbert were murdered in cold blood at Superbike Motorsports on Parris Bridge Road, Chesnee, SC. The University of South Carolina Division of Law Enforcement & Safety and Midlands Crimestoppers need your help identifying three suspects involved in over twenty incidents of vehicle tampering and thefts from vehicles located in the Greek Village area at 800 Blossom St., Columbia, SC. And right now I'm heading over to his office to have his body exhumed so I can have a DNA test done.'". 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Authorities, after all, had already connected Little to the September 1978 murder of 19-year . The most notorious unsolved murder in our state's fraught history went down in Darlington County in the 4th Judicial District of South Carolina in the dark of April 3, 1952. Police hurried to the salon, where they found a woman who appeared to have been strangled with a duffel bag strap and was left hanging from a hot water heater. When officers arrived, they discovered a male, Damion Henderson, lying on the floor inside of the home. He drove to the back of the Spartanburg County Administrative building, exited his car, collapsed and died. But there were also four incidents involving five deaths resulting from gunshots and blunt trauma that have not been solved. Once on scene, officers discovered several people at the location and a male, Daniel Pilgram, lying on the front porch suffering from gunshot wounds. The violence of the attack made it seem personal, Rick Gregory, a Spartanburg County Solicitors Office investigator,told In Ice Cold Blood, airing Sundays at 7/6c on Oxygen.