A South Carolina man has been charged with murder after the remains of his former roommate were discovered buried under a fire pit in the backyard of his home, authorities announced.
A chilling revelation has emerged in South Carolina, where an Orangeburg man is facing murder charges after the remains of his former roommate were found buried under a fire pit in the backyard of his home.
According to the Myrtle Beach Police Department, 54-year-old Sheridan Dirk Fogle of Orangeburg was apprehended on Thursday, June 15, and charged with the murder of 51-year-old Penni Whiteside.
Horrific Discovery: Man Arrested for Murder After Roommate's Remains Found Buried Under Fire Pit
The macabre discovery was made on June 12 in the 600 block of 1st Avenue in Myrtle Beach during an investigation launched on May 11, 2022, after Whiteside was reported missing. The Horry County Coroner's office confirmed the identity of the remains as those of Whiteside, who was last seen alive in the spring of 2022.
Collaborating with the U.S. Marshals Service and the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety, Myrtle Beach police executed an arrest warrant at Fogle's residence on Broughton Street at approximately 7:30 a.m. on June 15.
Horrific Discovery: Man Arrested for Murder After Roommate's Remains Found Buried Under Fire Pit
A statement from the Myrtle Beach Police Department released on Facebook expressed sorrow over the tragic loss and condemned the heinous crime. "This is a tragic loss of life and a senseless crime of violence," the statement read. "Please continue to pray for the family and friends of the victim."
Investigators' inquiries revealed that Whiteside and Fogle had shared a residence in 2022. Neighbor accounts led to the suspicion that the victim's remains might be buried under a fire pit in her backyard.
Based on this information, a search warrant was obtained for the property at the 600 block of 1st Avenue South, where the human remains were discovered on June 12, 2024. Forensic examination confirmed the identity of the remains as those of Whiteside.
Police authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the murder, seeking to establish the motive behind the heinous act. The community is left reeling in shock and disbelief, as they mourn the loss of a life cut short under such horrific circumstances.
