Sumter County, SC – Authorities have arrested a South Carolina man in connection with the deaths of two women whose bodies were discovered in a rural clearing last month, according to law enforcement officials.
Tiamo Drakeford, 29, faces charges of murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and desecration of human remains, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office confirmed. The arrest comes roughly a month after Christine McAbee, 35, and Kristen Grissom, 38, were found dead in a remote area off Richbow Road.
Discovery of the Victims
On August 8, around 1:20 p.m., deputies responded to a report from a landowner who discovered the bodies. Officials noted that the remains “appeared to have been placed at the location,” suggesting that the women may have been murdered elsewhere before being dumped at the site. Authorities also indicated the bodies had remained there for at least a day before being found.
Autopsy Results
An autopsy determined that McAbee died from a gunshot wound, while Grissom’s autopsy did not reveal any physical trauma. Her exact cause of death remains under investigation, pending a toxicology report.
Law enforcement believes the two women knew each other, but the nature of their relationship has not yet been disclosed.
Arrest and Investigation
Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis credited multiple agencies for assisting in Drakeford’s apprehension, including the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. He described the case as a “targeted crime.”
“Every person from each of these agencies has worked tirelessly to assist my Office in solving this case,” Dennis said. “I have always found it refreshing to be a part of a true team effort to bring closure to our citizens and the families of victims. I am truly humbled and thankful for everyone’s tireless dedication.”
Drakeford was being held at the Sumter County Detention Center as of Friday. Sheriff Dennis emphasized that his arrest does not mark the end of the investigation, and that additional arrests are anticipated.
Public Safety and Next Steps
Authorities continue to urge the public to report any information that could assist the investigation. Law enforcement has indicated that the case remains active, with ongoing efforts to identify potential accomplices or additional leads.
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