Man charged with murder after girlfriend dies in hospital, Richland County deputies say
A South Carolina man with a history of domestic violence was charged with murder after his girlfriend died in a hospital, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department said Wednesday.
Nathan McLaughlin, 41, was originally charged with attempted murder in his girlfriend’s assault, but that charge was upgraded following his girlfriend’s death, the sheriff’s department said in a news release.
The Richland County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Theresa Stenger, 43.
Deputies became involved at about 4 p.m. Tuesday when they responded to a local hospital where Stenger was being treated, according to the release.
Hospital staff told the deputies that EMS had responded to the 1300 block of Marley Drive and taken the victim to the emergency room, the sheriff’s department said. Marley Drive is in Columbia, near Exit 65 on Interstate 20, which is the junction with Broad River Road.
Hospital staff had told the deputies that “she would not recover,” the sheriff’s department said.
McLaughlin, who was the victim’s boyfriend, was arrested and booked at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, according to the release. He was behind bars when the victim died, and his charge was upgraded to murder, the sheriff’s department said.
Information about what led to the attack was not available.
No bond was set for McLaughlin, who remains locked up at the detention center, jail records show. He’s scheduled to return to court on May 31, according to Richland County judicial records.
In 2022, McLaughlin pleaded guilty to a third-degree domestic violence charge, and was sentenced to 90 days behind bars, court records show.
A background check by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division showed that McLaughlin was charged and convicted of a first offense of domestic violence by the South Congaree Police Department in 2000. In 2016, McLauglin was charged with third-degree domestic violence in Florence County. He pleaded guilty the next year and was sentenced to time served, according to court records.
The sheriff’s department said it encourages anyone in an abusive relationship to reach out for help by calling the Richland County Sheriff’s Department Victim Services Unit at 803-576-3113, or Sister Care at 803-765-9428.
In the case of an emergency, always call 911.
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This story was originally published March 6, 2024 at 1:06 PM with the headline "Man charged with murder after girlfriend dies in hospital, Richland County deputies say."
