Police check possible links in 2 Upstate homicides

WALHALLA, S.C. (AP) — Investigators are checking evidence to see if an unsolved Oconee County homicide nearly three years ago is related to a shooting death in Greenville County.

Authorities say 74-year-old Frances Earle was shot to death in her Seneca home, which was then set on fire in July 2009. That homicide remains unsolved.

In Greenville County, 63-year-old Alice Owenby was shot to death on Feb. 21 in her Taylors home, which was set ablaze. Investigators arrested 40-year-old Billy Burch and charged him with murder.

Oconee County deputies are working with the State Law Enforcement Division to test evidence and see if there are any links between the two killings.

Burch is being held without bail at the Greenville County jail. It wasn’t clear whether he had a lawyer.