Jasper Co. Sheriff’s Office shares new details about Hardeeville body

Kenyatta Austin’s neighbors found his body early Thursday morning after going into his home when they found the front door open.

Austin, a 43-year-old man from Hardeeville, died from a gunshot wound, Jasper County Deputy Coroner Randy Vaigneur said.

The neighbors called 911 after finding the body, according to a statement from the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office and emergency medical services responded to 251 Stiney Road in Hardeeville at 7:38 a.m.

“Investigators from the Sheriff’s Office and (S.C.) State Law Enforcement Division are actively following up on leads,” the statement said.

“SLED is actively working the case,” agency spokesperson Thom Berry said this morning. The agency originally was called to assist with the matter, but Jasper County authorities requested that SLED take over, he said.

Austin’s body was transported Friday to Charleston’s Medical University of South Carolina Hospital for an autopsy, according to Jasper County Coroner Martin Sauls.

When asked if there were single or multiple gunshot wounds, Vaigneur said that would have to be determined by an autopsy.

If you have any information about this incident, call the Sheriff’s Office at 843-726-7777 or the Silent Witness Tip Hotline at 1-800-446-1006.

This story was originally published September 15, 2016 at 5:37 PM with the headline "Jasper Co. Sheriff’s Office shares new details about Hardeeville body."