A South Carolina man, Tiamo Drakeford, has been arrested in connection with the double murder of two women, whose bodies were found in a rural clearing in Sumter County. Drakeford, 29, has been charged with murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and desecration of human remains, according to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
The Discovery of the Bodies
On August 8, around 1:20 p.m., deputies responded to a call from a landowner on Richbow Road. The landowner had discovered two bodies in a clearing and reported that they “appeared to have been placed at the location,” suggesting that the women were murdered elsewhere and then dumped in the area. The bodies had been there for at least a day before being found.
Victims Identified
The victims were identified as Christine McAbee, 35, and Kristen Grissom, 38. McAbee was found to have died from a gunshot wound, but the cause of death for Grissom was not immediately clear. An autopsy revealed no physical trauma to Grissom, and her cause of death is pending a toxicology report.
Investigation and Arrest
Authorities believe the two women knew each other, though the exact nature of their relationship remains unclear. Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis praised the collaborative efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies in securing Drakeford’s arrest, including the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF).
“This was a targeted crime,” Sheriff Dennis said. He expressed his gratitude for the tireless work of all involved in the investigation and noted that more arrests are anticipated in connection with the case.
Drakeford’s Detention
As of Friday, Drakeford is being held in the Sumter County Detention Center. Authorities have not ruled out further developments in the case, and additional arrests are expected as the investigation continues.
