South Carolina is known for its beautiful beaches, Southern charm, and of course, its fair share of true crime stories. From high-profile murders to mysterious disappearances, the Palmetto State has seen it all. Here are five of the most shocking true crime cases that have taken place in South Carolina.
- The Murder of Michael Jordan’s Father
In 1993, James Jordan, the father of NBA legend Michael Jordan, was driving through rural South Carolina when he stopped to take a nap in his car. He was shot and killed by two young men, Larry Martin Demery and Daniel Andre Green. The pair robbed Jordan’s car and took his championship ring before dumping his body in a swamp. Both men were eventually convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
- The Todd Kohlhepp Murders
In 2016, Todd Kohlhepp was arrested after a woman was found chained up in a metal storage container on his property. He eventually confessed to killing seven people, including a couple he had hired to work for him. Kohlhepp, a real estate agent, had a history of criminal behavior and had been convicted of kidnapping and raping a 14-year-old girl when he was a teenager. He is currently serving seven consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.
- The Disappearance of Heather Elvis
Heather Elvis was a 20-year-old waitress who went missing in December 2013. Her car was found abandoned at a boat landing, and her keys and phone were missing. Two people were eventually arrested and charged with her murder, but a mistrial was declared in their case. To this day, Heather’s body has never been found, and her case remains unsolved.
- The Susan Smith Case
In 1994, Susan Smith claimed that her car had been hijacked and her two young children had been taken. A nationwide search ensued, but it was later discovered that Smith had actually driven her car into a lake with her children still inside. She eventually confessed to the murders and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
- The Peachtree Mall Murders
In 2017, two men entered the Peachtree Mall in Columbus, Georgia, just across the border from South Carolina, and opened fire, killing one person and injuring seven others. The suspects, brothers Demetrius and Xzavien Jones, were later arrested and charged with murder. The shooting shook the small community and is still remembered as one of the most senseless acts of violence to have taken place in the area.
South Carolina has seen its fair share of true crime cases over the years, from high-profile murders to mysterious disappearances. These five cases are just a small sample of the shocking and often disturbing crimes that have taken place in the Palmetto State.
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Shocking True Crime Cases in South Carolina
High-Profile Murders in the Palmetto State
Mysterious Disappearances in South Carolina
Disturbing Crimes That Shook South Carolina
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