South Carolina

Bridge workers find body near swamp. SC sheriff hopes to identified remains

In a rural stretch between Interstate 26 and Interstate 95 in Orangeburg County, bridge maintenance workers discovered a person’s body.

Just after 10 a.m. Friday, the workers discovered the body and called the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities have not released when the person died or any identifying details about the person.

The body was found near the towns of Cameron and Santee about a mile west of the intersection of Five Chop Road and Highway 176. There, a bridge crosses over a small waterway called Indian Camp Branch which runs through Four Holes Swamp. The workers found the body nearby.

The area is marked by farmland, swamps and a modern textile factory. A campground and motel is nearby.

Few details have been released about the discovery aside from sheriff’s office investigators worked the scene.

“This is still someone’s loved one, a family member,” Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell said. “This investigation is just beginning, but we will provide answers as soon as we determine how this person passed.”

The Orangeburg County Coroner’s Office is attempting to find next-of-kin and to identify the person. An autopsy will be conducted soon to find out how the person died.

This story was originally published December 7, 2019 at 11:35 AM with the headline "Bridge workers find body near swamp. SC sheriff hopes to identified remains."

David Travis Bland
The State
David Travis Bland is The State’s editorial editor. In his prior position as a reporter, he was named the 2020 South Carolina Journalist of the Year by the SC Press Association. He graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2010. Support my work with a digital subscription
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER