Body found in river is missing SC woman, and her death called a homicide, coroner says
The search for a missing South Carolina woman has ended, and now a hunt for her killer is underway.
A body recently found in the North Fork Edisto River was identified as 56-year-old Barnwell resident Regina Veronica Arroyo, the Lexington County Coroner’s Office said Monday in a news release. Arroyo was reported missing on Nov. 30, according to the release.
Although Arroyo’s cause of death was not made public, Fisher said the death was a homicide.
At about 4 p.m. on Dec. 3, the coroner’s office was called to a part of the river near Wagner Highway in the Leesville area of Lexington County, according to the release.
A kayaker found a body in the river, Fisher said.
The coroner identified Arroyo and on Dec. 5 an autopsy was performed at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, according to the release. Fisher said the autopsy results aren’t being released until further investigation into the death by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.
Arroyo’s death continues to be investigated by both the sheriff’s department and coroner’s office.
The area where the body was recovered is more than 30 miles from Barnwell.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREThis is a breaking news story
In a breaking news situation, facts can be unclear and the situation may still be developing. The State is trying to get important information to the public as quickly and accurately as possible. This story will be updated as more information becomes available, and some information in this story may change as the facts become clearer. Refresh this page later for more updated information.
This story was originally published December 11, 2023 at 12:54 PM with the headline "Body found in river is missing SC woman, and her death called a homicide, coroner says."
