Bluffton double-murder case remains mystery 14 years later

An investigation into the murder of two men found shot to death in a Bluffton storage unit continues 14 years later.

On Feb. 22, 2002, Sean Sandlin and Robert Walsh, both 30, were found dead inside a storage unit at Taylor’s Warehouse, according to a Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Investigators learned that whoever fired the shots did so while the two victims were working inside the storage unit and then closed the door to delay anyone finding their bodies.

The gunshots were heard by witnesses in the surrounding neighborhood, who told deputies they saw what appeared to be a Ford King Rancher pickup truck speeding out of the warehouse parking lot around the time Sandlin and Walsh were murdered, the release said.

No suspects were identified.

The storage unit the victims rented revealed property stolen from construction sites as far away as Charleston, the release said.

Another unit rented at the same warehouse by the pair had more stolen construction items, leading investigators to believe Sandlin and Walsh traveled outside Beaufort County to steal from home sites under construction before selling those items on the black market, the release said.

Walsh had also been arrested and charged with extortion months before he was killed.

Anyone with information on the cold case can contact Capt. Bob Bromage at 843-255-3402 or at robertb@bcgov.net.

Anonymous tips can also be given to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-888-CrimeSC.

This story was originally published February 22, 2016 at 8:58 AM with the headline "Bluffton double-murder case remains mystery 14 years later."