Autopsy: Florence slaying victims shot to death
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Search continues for clues in Florence fatal shooting...
The search continues for clues in the slayings of a Florence man and woman whose bodies were found Tuesday on a dirt road near Pamplico Highway in Florence County.
Rebecca J. Ducker/Morning News
Deputies with the Florence County Sheriff’s Department work the scene of a suspected a double homicide on Isaiah Street in Florence County on Tuesday.
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.
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Reader Reactions
Deb, I understand your hurtting. I can PROMISE You that everything seen on the crime scene has been reported to the det. on the case. We came after the shooting due to a call telling the firefighters there was a -call- for them. We didn’t see anything other than attempting to save lives. We have to be very careful on how we word things. It can do a number of things and the Major one cost the cops the case. But also leak out things that DON’T need to be leaked out. I know it hurts and upsets you and I am dearly sorry. Just know my prays are with you and your family. my e-mail is ladycairo@gmail.com if you would like to talk. Just know I can’t tell you anything Hun.
(for the people that seem to what to find a reason, yes I do understand that you want to -find- a reason for this. But please don’t think that because she was -chained- down, her life was not halted. She would have broken the chains. Or this was gods way of breaking those chains. Either way, she is -safe, happy and loved more than we can really ever known or understand). I hope the family will be able to heal and remember the past of joy and delight, not hold onto the anger and pain and sorrow. If anyone else wishes to speak to me.. by all means add me to gmail. Thank you~
Deb, than you for your kind words, But know as my Husband will tell you, It is personal when things get like this and they will put all their heart, mind, body and soul into doing all they can! He said Thank yu though
~~Ladycairo~
Two lives lost…for nothing. I am sick of this and something needs to be done about it.
Regardless of the reason for the killings, it is still horrible. I don’t care if it was an ex lover or a drug deal gone wrong or what. I am just saddened to hear that 2 young people are dead. I am saddened that the families of these two young people have to deal with this. I knew Talya and thought her a sweet woman who has had a rough life and deserved more than what she was given. I am also saddened that Talya’s son has no mother. I agree with Daisychain: if she had not have had the chains to tie her down she would have soared.
I just want to say that after reading this article you can speculate all you want as to “what” happened, however the truth is Talya was a dear and sensitive soul…. I haven’t talked to Talya since Christian’s funeral but my husband and I hung out with her and Christian alot when they were teenagers, and we loved them to death… they were scarred souls even back then but they were some of the best friends we had or you could ever ask for…. When Christian past it was very hard for us to accept and now even after all these years to hear of this happening to Talya it hurts more than words can express… Talya was a very sweet soul who truly did think of others all the time back then… She will truly be missed, even after all these years, I know if I were to run into her she would talk to me like we had just hung out last night… Heaven is a better place with her, but I know she will truly be missed here…. May God bless the family and all who held Talya close to their hearts….
Just want to thank everybody who is praying for all of my family! We are strong the Lord and know Talya is safe and in the arms of Jesus. Thanks especially to the ones like the firefighter who tried saving her and Billy. Thank you LadyCairo for your kind words and please if there is any thing else you can remember about that day let it be known so the ones responsible for this horrific crime can be punished. I just looked at pictures of my beautiful niece and all the precious memories I have and have peace and comfort from God that she is safe with HIM.
heartfelt memories and faith of healing with the knowledge that they are both in a better place now…
(for the one that said 2 to 1, it was a drug deal gone bad? Why not a former jealous lover or they was caught cheating while your at it? You always look at the bad before the good? could it have been they was giving someone a lift home out of the kindness of their heart and the person robbed them? Or that someone was attempting to steal the car from them? When I read what you put, it made me feel that you are more worried about the -reason- for the death than the hurt and pain the person did, long with wanting to find them so they can have justice served to them!)
~~~LadyCairo~~
I am sorry I can’t tell you more than what I have stated already. Yes we was their but we can not give out any information. If we did/do it could cause problems in court and with the case. The most I can tell you is that the fire fighters, ems and cops did the best job they could to try and save them two precious souls. I am sorry I can’t say more. Just know we don’t want to harm the case and the killer go free. We send out heartfelt memories a safef;
Very sorry for the families. 2 to 1 says was a drug deal “gone bad.“ If they don’t catch the perps’ within 48 hours the chance that they will be aprehended them is very remote.
i just wanted to say r.i.p tayla, what everyone has said is very true, this girl was remarkable intelligent, without the chains that tied her down she could have explored endless possibilities, no one deserves to die like this, underneath it all tayla poston was a kind soul, i hope they find out who did this, and always remember the good things we loved about tayla
I just saw a newer model green Eddie Bauer edition Ford Explorer with a window busted out on the back of a wrecker getting off of the interstate. I was not able to see the license plate but I hope this is the vehicle they have been searching for and I hope they have found those responsible.
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