A South Carolina man has been arrested in connection with the double murder of two women whose bodies were discovered “placed” in a clearing.
The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office has charged Tiamo Drakeford, 29, with murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and desecration of human remains. The arrest came less than a month after Christine McAbee, 35, and Kristen Grissom, 38, were discovered dead.
Deputies arrived at Richbow Road, in rural Sumter County, around 1:20 p.m. on August 8. A landowner discovered the bodies and notified authorities, stating that they “appeared to have been placed at the location,” according to the sheriff’s office.
In other words, law enforcement suspected the women were murdered elsewhere and then dumped off Richbow Road, where their bodies remained for at least a day.
An autopsy revealed McAbee died of a gunshot wound, but Grissom’s autopsy “did not reveal any physical trauma,” according to local NBC affiliate WIS. Her cause of death was pending a toxicology report.
Authorities believe the women knew each other, but it’s unclear how.
Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis thanked all of the agencies that assisted in Drakeford’s arrest, including the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, in what he considered a “targeted crime.”
“Every person from each of these agencies has worked tirelessly to assist my Office in solving this case,” according to Dennis. “I’ve always found it refreshing to be a part of a genuine team effort to bring closure to our citizens and victims’ families. I am deeply humbled and grateful for everyone’s tireless dedication.”
The sheriff also stated that Drakeford’s arrest does not mark the conclusion of the investigation, and that “more arrests are anticipated.”
Drakeford was being held at the Sumter County Detention Center as of Friday.
