The same St. Helena, Lady’s Island teens charged in one death face charges in second

The three teenagers suspected in the death of 25-year-old Robert Blanding now face additional charges in connection with the death of his 19-year-old nephew, Chaz Blanding, according to a Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office news release Monday afternoon.

Nashon Pringle, 19, of St. Helena Island, turned himself in to the Sheriff’s Office on Monday to face two counts each of murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, according to the Sheriff’s Office and online Beaufort County Detention Center records.

Raheem Bennett, 16, of St. Helena Island, was arrested Nov. 28 and was charged with murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime in connection with Robert Blanding’s death. On Monday, an additional count of each charge was added in connection with Chaz Blanding’s death.

Channon Preston Jr., 18, of Lady’s Island, was arrested on Friday and charged with accessory after the fact to murder in connection with Robert Blanding’s death. On Monday, he faced an additional count of the same charge in connection with Chaz Blanding’s death.

Robert Blanding, of St. Helena Island, was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds off F&B Road on Lady’s Island on Nov. 22. Chaz Blanding was reported missing and endangered by his family shortly after Robert Blanding’s body was found.

Chaz Blanding, of Beaufort, was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds near Simmons Road on St. Helena Island on Saturday. Forensic autopsies for both men revealed they died from those wounds, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Both homicide investigations are still ongoing, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Anyone with information can contact Sgt. Brandon Disbrow 843-255-3407 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-888-Crime-SC.

This story was originally published December 4, 2017 at 5:33 PM with the headline "The same St. Helena, Lady’s Island teens charged in one death face charges in second."