Man arrested after two women's bodies found dumped: Police
Share and Follow

Inset left: Tiamo Drakeford (Sumter County Sheriff”s Office). Inset middle: Christine McAbee (Sumter County Sheriff’s Office). Inset right: Kristen Grissom (Sumter County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The location in Sumter County, South Carolina, where McAbee’s and Grissom’s bodies were reportedly found (WIS/YouTube).

A South Carolina man has been arrested in connection with a case of double murder where two women’s bodies were found “placed” in a clearing.

Tiamo Drakeford, 29, has been charged with murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and desecration of human remains, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office said. The arrest came just about a month after Christine McAbee, 35, and Kristen Grissom, 38, were found dead.

On Aug. 8, at about 1:20 p.m., deputies arrived at Richbow Road in rural Sumter County. A landowner had come across the bodies and contacted authorities — saying the bodies “appeared to have been placed at the location,” the sheriff’s office added.

In other words, law enforcement believed the woman were murdered elsewhere and then dumped off Richbow Road — where their bodies stayed for at least a day.

An autopsy revealed McAbee had died from a gunshot wound, but an autopsy for Grissom “did not reveal any physical trauma,” per local NBC affiliate WIS. Her cause of death was pending a toxicology report.

Authorities believe the women knew each other, but how exactly they knew one another is unclear.

Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis thanked all the agencies that helped secure Drakeford’s arrest — including the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms — in what he believed was a “targeted crime.”

“Every person from each of these agencies has worked tirelessly to assist my Office in solving this case,” Dennis said. “I have always found it refreshing to be a part of a true team effort to bring closure to our citizens and the families of victims. I am truly humbled and thankful for everyone’s tireless dedication.”

The sheriff also stated that Drakeford’s arrest does not indicate the end of the investigation and “more arrests are anticipated.”

Drakeford was being held in the Sumter County Detention Center as of Friday.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Florida Teen Admits to Self-Inflicted Gunshot in Kidnapping Hoax, Enters No Contest Plea

In a bizarre turn of events, a 17-year-old from Florida, Caden Speight,…

Breaking News: Missing College Student Case Takes Dark Turn as Body Found Nearby

Vermont authorities have discovered a body near the area where a college…

Judge Criticizes Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ Handling of Special Election Procedures

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders speaks during the Republican National Convention in…

Father Sentenced in Tragic Death of 12-Year-Old Daughter Due to Untreated Diabetes

Inset left to right: Brent Bredhold (Vanderburgh County Sheriff”s Office) and Alice…

Man Arrested Following Incident Leading to Aldi Shopper’s Coma: Police Report

Share A man from Florida, accused of a violent assault at an…

Florida Woman Faces Charges for Neglect and Abuse of Elderly, Disabled Mother

A Florida woman faces serious charges following accusations from her children that…

Tragic Case Unveiled: Parents Charged in Fatal Child Abuse Cover-Up

Inset left: Dante Campbell (GoFundMe). Inset middle: Charlotte Kurek (Milwaukee County Sheriff”s…

Gamer Accepts Plea Deal in Tragic Case of Arizona Toddler’s Hot Car Death

An Arizona father has admitted guilt in the tragic case involving his…