Missing Beaufort teen, slain uncle were like brothers, friend says as investigation continues

As the search for information on the death of a 25-year-old St. Helena Island man and his missing 19-year-old Beaufort nephew continues, a friend of the pair described them as having a brother-like relationship.

Diamond Henderson said he met Chaz Blanding, who was reported missing and in danger on Wednesday, during his junior year of high school at Beaufort High School.

“Chaz is super, super smart and very articulate,” Henderson said on Friday. “Robert was like the backbone of everybody. He was like the peanut butter sandwich for all of us. He always wanted to make sure our heads were screwed on tight. He pushed us to do stuff that we never knew we could do.”

Henderson, Chaz Blanding, Robert Blanding and some of their friends made rap music together, he said. He described Chaz Blanding as “resurrected” Tupac Shakur.

“We just connected when we started making music,” Henderson said of his time with the Blandings.

Chaz Blanding has not been seen by his family members since Tuesday, according to a Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Chaz Blanding and his uncle, Robert Blanding, 25, of St. Helena Island, were last seen leaving Chaz Blanding’s home Tuesday evening on Southside Boulevard in Beaufort.

Around 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Robert Blanding’s body was found off F&B Road with multiple gunshot wounds, the release said.

An autopsy is expected to be performed Friday by forensic pathologists at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston to make a formal determination on the cause and manner of Robert Blanding’s death, according to the release.

The preliminary cause of death is believed to be gunshot wounds.

Henderson described Chaz and Robert Blanding’s relationship as that of an older and younger brother.

Capt. Bob Bromage of the Sheriff’s Office said Friday that the investigation continues into Robert Blanding’s death and Chaz Blanding’s disapearance.

Anyone with information or who may have heard or seen anything suspicious near F&B Road Tuesday night can contact Sgt. Brandon Disbrow at 843-255-3407, or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CrimeSC.

Information given to Crime Stoppers can be given anonymously and is eligible for a possible reward.

This story was originally published November 24, 2017 at 9:19 AM with the headline "Missing Beaufort teen, slain uncle were like brothers, friend says as investigation continues."