Investigators seek clues in Marlboro County murder
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Marlboro County Murder
Marlboro County Murder
WBTW NEWS13/PATRICIA BURKETT
Investigators are looking for clues in the slaying of 30-year-old Eric Thompson, who was found shot to death here at his home on Old Wire Road in Wallace.
BENNETTSVILLE — Marlboro County sheriff’s deputies continue to investigate a murder that began as a missing persons case Saturday.
On Saturday morning, authorities found an abandoned pewter-colored late-model Ford Expedition on the side of Hickory Grove Road, just off of S.C. 9 near Bennettsville
Later that morning, the family of 30-year-old Eric Thompson reported him missing after they said he failed to show up for work.
Thompson’s family members said they tried to contact him on his cell phone, but were unsuccessful.
That afternoon, investigators said, Thompson’s family members went to his home to check on him and found him dead.
“Once they got here, they knocked, didn’t get an answer, and so they removed the air conditioning unit out of the window, and went in and that’s when they found him,” said Thompson’s aunt, Stephanie Thomas.
Investigators were called to Thompson’s home on Old Wire Road in Wallace and began investigating the scene as a homicide.
Marlboro County Coroner Tim Brown said someone shot and killed Thompson.
The sheriff’s office will need help from residents in the area to find out exactly what happened to Thompson, Lt. Jamie Seales said.
“It would be really important for them to give us a call and it would be greatly appreciated,” he said. “We need some help from the community on this one.”
Investigators are actively looking for any witnesses who may have seen anyone near Thompson’s vehicle between Friday night and Saturday morning, Seales said.
They’re also asking anyone who may have seen another vehicle in the area during that time period to call investigators.
Thompson’s family members said they can’t fathom a motive for the crime.
“He’s just an outgoing person and we all loved him and we’re gonna miss him,” Thomas said. “We can’t understand why anybody would do this to him.”
Family members said they, too, are asking for the public’s help in finding out why Thompson’s vehicle was abandoned and why someone took his life.
“We want to desperately know what happened and we’re pleading to anyone who knows anything to please, don’t be afraid, go in and speak to the law officers and help them find out who killed my nephew,” Thomas said.
Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call the sheriff’s office at (843) 479-5605 or Crime Stoppers of the Pee Dee at (888) CRIME SC (274-6372). Callers need not reveal their identities.
Reader Reactions
i hope this investigation doesnt go unsolved. unfortunately he chose people he thought was his friend to trust. but his lack of trusting others shouldnt be any reason to let this case slip under the rug. eric was a lovely out-going man. who loved and befriended everyone. eric i believe had won some money off a lottery ticket. he told his friends about the winnings. we then began to plot on him about how they was going to get it. officers these people took his car and his cell phone so that he would not be able to get any type of help. we all know just because you are shot doesnt mean that you are automatically going to die. they left eric stranded and wounded. leaving him to be bleed out from his wounds. i truly do believe that if he had his phone at least he could have called someone like 911 are anyone. for a cry of help i have just been shot! deep down in my heart i believe it was money the root of all evil which caused this tragic event. im sure there has been alot of name called but pls officers lets put on out thinking caps and solve thios murder. too many murders in marlboro county go unsolved. this was a great young man who loved everyone and did not deserve this. because of him being kind to all. also what kind of friend keeps another friends cell phone even if they were drunk and dropped it. most people would say “hey here is your phone you dropped it make sure you put it in your pocket this time”. these were very cruel and heartless people who did this. I understand that God makes the judgement on those individuals but God also has laws and rules for us to live by.
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