Deputies seek clues in death of Latta woman

Deputies are searching for information and clues relating to the death of a Latta woman who was found dead inside her home by a neighbor Thursday.

The death of 61-year-old Veronica Miranda is being investigated as a homicide.

Deputies were summoned to a mobile home on Annie Lane, which is just off S.C. 38, about 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Dillon County Sheriff’s Investigator Cliff Arnett said.

“A neighbor in the neighborhood discovered her,” he said. “There were a few things that didn’t quite seem right. That aroused suspicion and he came over to see if she was home.”

The last time Miranda was seen alive was Wednesday night, he said, and deputies are looking for her car, a dark green 2000 Kia Sportage.

Investigators said Miranda lived alone in her home but didn’t say if they found signs of forced entry or a struggle.

Latta resident Diane Shelly, who is one of Miranda’a neighbors, said Miranda kept to herself and was a good neighbor.

“I’ve never seen her hurt nobody,” she said. “It’s just a shame to know somebody would do something to her down here. She seemed to be OK, she came around here a few times when her goats got out. I helped her get her goats back in.”

Shelly said she last saw Miranda as she passed her house on the way to a doctor’s appointment Wednesday.

“She was out there in the yard. ... She kind of (threw) up her hand,” she said. “I don’t trust nobody down here ... I don’t trust nobody. I’ll leave my doors locked from now on.”

Shelly said her daughter told her about Miranda’s death when she returned home Thursday.

“I just hate to know somebody that dirty done that,” she said. “I hope they find out who did it. We ain’t never had no trouble like that, but now I’m just scared to have the youngins out there playing.”

Anyone with any information on the case is asked to call the Dillon County Sheriff’s Office at (843) 841-3721 or the statewide Crime Stoppers Hotline at (888) CRIME-SC.