Crime & Public Safety

Beaufort woman’s body found on dirt road had gunshot wounds; coroner estimates time of death

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is launching a murder investigation after the body of 33-year-old Beaufort woman Stephanie Campbell was found off a dirt road Wednesday morning on St. Helena Island. Her body had multiple gunshot wounds, police say.

Police responded in large numbers after a resident discovered Campbell’s body around 9 a.m. Wednesday “on the side” of Langford Road, a dirt road connecting Seaside Road and U.S. 21 on the eastern end of St. Helena. On-scene photos showed patrol vehicles blocking off the central portion of the pathway, although deputies had cleared the scene by 2:30 p.m. that day.

Beaufort County Coroner David Ott said Campbell’s death had been ruled a homicide. Her presumed time of death was sometime Wednesday morning.

The body of 33-year-old Beaufort woman Stephanie Campbell was found Wednesday morning on eastern St. Helena Island. The Beaufort County Coroner’s Office estimates she died sometime that morning.
The body of 33-year-old Beaufort woman Stephanie Campbell was found Wednesday morning on eastern St. Helena Island. The Beaufort County Coroner’s Office estimates she died sometime that morning. Stephanie Campbell, Facebook

Sheriff’s office spokesperson Master Sgt. Danny Allen said investigators had not identified any suspects as of 1:30 p.m. Thursday. He would not say if police believed Campbell’s murder had occurred on Langford Road or if her body had been moved to the rural wooded area.

Campbell’s public social media profiles indicate she had at least one child and was engaged to a Beaufort native in August 2022. Funeral arrangements had not been made public as of Thursday afternoon.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call the lead investigator, Staff Sgt. Tunis, at 843-255-3426 or online at bcso.net, the sheriff’s office says.

After a woman’s body was located Wednesday morning, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office reported a large police presence on Langford Road, a short dirt road on eastern St. Helena Island.
After a woman’s body was located Wednesday morning, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office reported a large police presence on Langford Road, a short dirt road on eastern St. Helena Island. Google Earth
Evan McKenna
The Island Packet
Evan is a breaking news reporter for The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette. A Tennessee native and a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, he reports on crime and safety across Beaufort and Jasper counties. For tips or story ideas, email emckenna@islandpacket.com or call 843-321-8375.
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