Investigators seek clues in Marlboro County murder

Investigators are looking for clues in the slaying of 30-year-old Eric Thompson, who was found shot to death here at his home on Old Wire Road in Wallace.

By: Patricia Burkett | SCNow
Published: December 09, 2008

BENNETTSVILLE — Marlboro County sheriff’s deputies continue to investigate a murder that began as a missing persons case Saturday.

On Saturday morning, authorities found an abandoned pewter-colored late-model Ford Expedition on the side of Hickory Grove Road, just off of S.C. 9 near Bennettsville

Later that morning, the family of 30-year-old Eric Thompson reported him missing after they said he failed to show up for work.

Thompson’s family members said they tried to contact him on his cell phone, but were unsuccessful.

That afternoon, investigators said, Thompson’s family members went to his home to check on him and found him dead.

“Once they got here, they knocked, didn’t get an answer, and so they removed the air conditioning unit out of the window, and went in and that’s when they found him,” said Thompson’s aunt, Stephanie Thomas.

Investigators were called to Thompson’s home on Old Wire Road in Wallace and began investigating the scene as a homicide.

Marlboro County Coroner Tim Brown said someone shot and killed Thompson.

The sheriff’s office will need help from residents in the area to find out exactly what happened to Thompson, Lt. Jamie Seales said.

“It would be really important for them to give us a call and it would be greatly appreciated,” he said. “We need some help from the community on this one.”

Investigators are actively looking for any witnesses who may have seen anyone near Thompson’s vehicle between Friday night and Saturday morning, Seales said.

They’re also asking anyone who may have seen another vehicle in the area during that time period to call investigators.

Thompson’s family members said they can’t fathom a motive for the crime.

“He’s just an outgoing person and we all loved him and we’re gonna miss him,” Thomas said. “We can’t understand why anybody would do this to him.”

Family members said they, too, are asking for the public’s help in finding out why Thompson’s vehicle was abandoned and why someone took his life.

“We want to desperately know what happened and we’re pleading to anyone who knows anything to please, don’t be afraid, go in and speak to the law officers and help them find out who killed my nephew,” Thomas said.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call the sheriff’s office at (843) 479-5605 or Crime Stoppers of the Pee Dee at (888) CRIME SC (274-6372). Callers need not reveal their identities.