A Hartsville man was murdered Monday night after what appeared to be a robbery attempt at the business he owned and managed, Hartsville Police Chief Tim Kemp said.
Keith Hoyle Hancock, 57, of Hartsville was pronounced dead by Darlington County Coroner J. Todd Hardee when he arrived on the scene.
A few people who knew Hancock saw lights on about 8:30 p.m. Monday at Gardner’s Fertilizer & Farm Supplies at 317 Railroad Ave. in downtown Hartsville, Kemp said. That was unusual, so they went inside, found Hancock lying on the floor and called 911.
Hartsville police received the call at 8:37 p.m., Kemp said. The State Law Enforcement Division’s Crime Scene Unit later was called and processed the scene for evidence.
Kemp said it appeared Hancock had been beaten with an axe handle and died as a result. Hardee estimated the time of death at 7:30 p.m.
Hancock’s body has been sent to Newberry for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death, Kemp said.
The store has been robbed several times in the past, most recently in November 2007, Kemp said.
The murder is Hartsville’s first this year, and its fifth in five years, the chief said.
Video footage of a suspect in this crime was captured on the store's surveillance system. It can be viewed online at www.hartsvillesc.com/Press.avi.
Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call the police department at (843) 383-3013 or Crime Stoppers of the Pee Dee at (843) 667-TIPS (8477) or (866) 369-TIPS (8477). Callers need not reveal their identities.
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