BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. – Two unidentified individuals will be laid to rest in a private burial service this Friday, as Berkeley County officials continue their investigation into two separate, suspicious deaths that have remained unsolved for more than a year.
According to the Berkeley County Coroner’s Office, the service will take place at Berkeley Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Human Remains Found at Santee Cooper: June 2, 2024
The first set of remains was discovered nearly a year ago, on June 2, 2024, at the Santee Cooper Cross Generations Station Coal Yard. A 911 call led to a collaborative recovery involving the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Management, local fire departments, and Santee Cooper employees. Forensic examinations—including an autopsy and DNA analysis—confirmed the remains were human, but efforts to identify them have been unsuccessful.
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Human Remains Found in Summerville: Sept. 29, 2023
The second case began on Sept. 29, 2023, when the body of a man was found along College Park Road in Summerville. Officials believe he may have frequented the nearby Red Oak Circle neighborhood. Described as possibly Hispanic or Native American and between 45 and 70 years old, he was wearing a maroon University of South Carolina Gamecocks baseball cap and eyeglasses at the time of his discovery.
Despite the use of extensive forensic tools—including fingerprinting, genetic genealogy, and a SLED-provided facial sketch—the man’s identity remains unknown.
Both deaths are being treated as suspicious.
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Officials thanked community members who submitted tips and acknowledged Berkeley County leadership for providing the resources necessary for a proper burial. The cases remain open, and investigators continue to seek any information that might help bring closure.
Anyone with details that might aid in identification can contact the Berkeley County Coroner’s Office at 843-719-4566.
