2 women’s bodies found in South Carolina clearing, homicide investigation underway

An investigation into homicides is underway in South Carolina after two women’s bodies were found in a rural area in the County of Sumter, about 40 miles east of Columbia, police announced.

A landowner found the bodies in an area released on his land, said the sheriff of the county of Sumter on Tuesday Anthony Dennis. Women seemed to have been killed elsewhere before their bodies were deliberately placed in the clearing, said Dennis.

The victims were identified as Kristen Grissom, 38, and Christine Marie McABee, 35, said Dennis. An autopsy revealed that McABee died of a ball injury, the Coroner of Sumter County said on Tuesday Robert Mr. Baker. An autopsy for Grissom was underway at the time of the press conference, said Baker.

Mcabee’s death is the subject of an investigation as a homicide and the death of Grissom is the subject of an investigation as a potential homicide, said Baker. Grissom’s death will remain a potential homicide until the results of the autopsy have returned.

Women have probably died for about one day before their retirement, said Baker. Fingerprints, DNA analysis and tattoos were used to identify women.

Grissom was from North Charleston and Mcabee was from Walterboro, police announced. The two women knew each other, said Dennis, but it is not clear how close they were.

Dennis did not say if the police had a suspect at the time of the press conference. He said the Sheriff’s office had received several advice related to the case. Dennis said the incident seemed isolated and that there is no threat to the public.

Anyone with information on the case is requested to contact the Sheriff’s Office.