Police seek public's help to find missing woman

Florence Police Chief Anson Shells and Liz Samuel, sister of missing woman Rachel Samuel, speak at a press conference Friday, Oct. 10, 2008, at the Florence City County Complex.

By: Kelly Gillespie | SCNOW
Published: October 10, 2008

FLORENCE — Florence police are still searching for clues in the disappearance of a 51-year-old Florence woman who hasn’t been seen in nearly a month.

Rachel Samuel of 304 Campbell St. was last seen by her roommate at her home Sept. 18.

The police department held a press conference Friday afternoon to ask the community for help in finding Samuel.

“As of today, what we’re doing is issuing another call for assistance from the public to try to find Ms. Samuel,” Chief Anson Shells said. “As time goes on, as the investigation goes, on we’re becoming increasingly concerned for her well-being and her whereabouts.

“We are also becoming more concerned it might be foul play involved in this,” he said.

Samuel’s sister reported her missing Sept. 29. Her sister and co-workers said she hasn’t come home or gone to work.

Police said the last place they know Samuel went was to a dentist appointment in Florence.

“I still pray that she’ll be found OK even though I doubt it,” Liz Samuel, Rachel Samuel’s sister, said. “We want the best. We want to find her OK, but it’s been a long time and it’s not in her nature to be missing.”

Two other people reported missing in Florence in the past three months have been found dead. The body of 17-year-old Jeremiah Jenkins was discovered Aug. 30 in an abandoned building on South Irby and Cedar streets.

Jenkins was reported missing Aug. 6. An autopsy showed he had been stabbed and beaten about the head. Police arrested three suspects in connection with his death in early September.

On Aug. 27, Florence resident Willie Mae Hayes, 69, was found dead on Mallory Street after she was reported missing by her family two days earlier. Four suspects, including two 14-year-old boys, were arrested and charged in connection with Hayes’ death.

Rachel Samuel is a black woman with brown hair and eyes, standing about 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing about 130 pounds. She was last seen wearing a brown shirt and blue jeans.

Anyone with information on Samuel’s whereabouts is asked to call the police department (843) 665-3191 or Crime Stoppers of the Pee Dee at (843) 667-TIPS (8477) or (866) 369-TIPS (8477). Callers need not reveal their identities.

— Morning News Staff Writer Jamie Rogers contributed to this report.