Body identified as missing Anderson businessman

STARR, S.C. (AP) — Authorities say a body found in some woods is that of an Anderson businessman missing since July 1.

Anderson County Deputy Coroner Don McCown says the body found Wednesday in Starr had been identified as 53-year-old Chandrakant “C.J.” Patel.

Investigators searching for Patel said a tip led them to the body. The gas station manager was last seen last Sunday when he told a clerk at his store he was leaving for a few hours. His car was found two days later.

Investigators charged three people with kidnapping after deputies say Patel was seen on surveillance video going into the home where one of the suspects lived, but never coming out.

Authorities have not said how Patel died.