Body wrapped in tarp found in SC woods by hunters, coroner says
An investigation is underway after hunters found a body wrapped inside a tarp, the Sumter County Coroner’s Office said.
At about 10 a.m. Sunday, a group of hunters made the grisly discovery about 30-40 feet off Cimmaron Road, Coroner Robbie Baker said in a news release.
The hunters said they noticed a strong smell emitting from the tarp, according to the release. There were six hunters in the group, and they immediately called 911, according to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
Baker said it was confirmed that human remains were wrapped in the tarp. It’s unknown when the remains were left in the woods, but it’s estimated to be between 1-2 weeks, according to the release.
The coroner’s office has not identified the body, and neither the gender nor cause of death has been determined. An autopsy will be performed Tuesday at The Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston to determine more information regarding the identity of the remains, Baker said.
Along with the coroner’s office, the death is being investigated by the sheriff’s office as well as the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, according to the release.
“This is a tragic discovery, and our investigators are working closely with Office of the Coroner and our colleagues at SLED and more information will be provided as it is available,” Sheriff Anthony Dennis said Monday in a news release. “This investigation is ongoing, and we are asking the community to contact us with any information they may have.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the coroner’s office at 803-436-2111, the sheriff’s office at 803-436-2000, CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC or submit an online tip.
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This story was originally published November 27, 2023 at 8:10 AM with the headline "Body wrapped in tarp found in SC woods by hunters, coroner says."
