Autopsy: Florence slaying victims shot to death

FLORENCE — A Florence man and woman whose bodies were found Tuesday on a dirt road near Pamplico Highway died of gunshot wounds, an autopsy confirmed Wednesday.

Pathologists at the Medical University of South Carolina concluded that 32-year-old Talya Poston and 26-year-old Billy L. Hall, both of Florence, were shot to death, Florence County Coroner M.G. “Bubba” Matthews said. In light of the ongoing investigation, Matthews declined to comment on the number of times the victims were shot or where they were shot.

The bodies were discovered about 11:35 a.m. Tuesday on Isaiah Street, a dirt road surrounded by woods off Flowers Road, Florence County Sheriff’s Capt. Brett Camp said.

“We got a call to 911 about shots being fired in the area. We have no information at this point on what happened or what stirred this situation,” Florence County Sheriff’s Capt. Brett Camp said soon after the victims were discovered. “Our crime scene unit is on the scene with investigators, and they are collecting information and will be following up on any and all leads.”

Investigators are still looking for a vehicle in connection with the slayings. A bulletin was broadcast to area law enforcement agencies to be on the look out for a 2004 green Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer Edition, SC tag BXQ 274. Officials said the Explorer might have broken window.

“We continue to follow up on leads, and we’re still looking for the Explorer,” Florence County Sheriff’s Capt. Mike Nunn said. “That’s going to be a very important thing for us to find.”

The Explorer’s occupants should be considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached, officials said, adding citizens should call 911 if they see vehicle.

Poston’s aunt Debbie Ross said she spoke to Talya about 9:45 a.m. Tuesday.

“She said she was on her way to the dentist,” Ross said. “I told her that her mother and I were going to a seminar and that we’d try to catch up with her later in the day. It was a short conversation, but she seemed very at peace and calm. I guess I was probably the last family member to talk to her. I just thank God that I got that opportunity.”

Ross said she loved Talya like a daughter and can’t imagine how or why this happened.

“She was a wonderful, wonderful young lady,” Ross said. “She was a very caring and loving person, just a beautiful girl on the inside. Anytime anybody needed anything, she was there. She was always thinking about somebody else. Always. I just can’t understand how someone could do this to her.”

Ross said Talya, which she said means “Heaven’s Dew” in Hebrew, was extremely smart and had hoped to one day become a doctor. She also enjoyed music and raised Yorkies.

“She was just a brilliant girl,” Ross said. “Even though this is a tragedy, our family has always been strong in the Lord, and Talya was strong in the Lord. Now she’s free and in heaven with Jesus. God is at work, and he’ll get us through this.”

Anyone with information on this crime is asked to call the Florence County Sheriff’s Office at (843) 665-2121 or the state Crime Stoppers hotline at (888) CRIME SC (274-6372). Callers need not reveal their identities.