Suspicious death upgraded to homicide, Columbia police say after finding body
A body was found Monday and the Columbia Police Department initially called the South Carolina resident’s death suspicious. Through the course of an investigation, police determined that the woman’s death was a homicide.
Ciarra Howcott, a 31-year-old Hopkins resident, was found by the 2700 block of Howell Court, Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford said. That’s near Farrow Road and the Prisma Health Richland medical complex.
During the investigation, it was confirmed that Howcott died as a result of a getting shot in the upper body, police said Tuesday afternoon.
Information about when the body was discovered, and how police were contacted, was not available.
But officers responded and located the dead body, according to police.
“This remains an active and ongoing investigation,” Deputy Chief Melron Kelly said in a news release. “Our investigators are continuing to work diligently to determine the circumstances surrounding Ms. Howcott’s death, and we are asking for the community’s assistance in helping us bring clarity and accountability to this case.”
As part of the investigation, which also includes the coroner’s office, police officers canvassed the surrounding area for witnesses and any additional information.
No other injuries were reported.
Information about the shooter, or shooters, and if any more people were involved, was not available. There was no word about a motive for the gunfire.
No arrests have been reported.
Anyone with information about Howcott’s death is asked to call police at 803-545-3500, CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC, or submit an online tip.
In the case of an emergency, always call 911.
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This story was originally published April 14, 2026 at 7:59 AM with the headline "Suspicious death upgraded to homicide, Columbia police say after finding body."
