Woman found in Columbia yard was dead for days

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Authorities say a woman whose body was found by a neighbor in the front yard of her Columbia home had apparently been dead for several days.

Richland County Coroner Gary Watts said 26-year-old Almanita Smith’s body was likely placed in the front yard before it was found around 7 a.m. Thursday.

Watts says it appears someone killed Smith, but an autopsy didn’t determine exactly how she died.

Deputies have arrested 27-year-old Marcus Bailey and charged him with murder. Bailey was in Smith’s home when her body was found.

Sheriff Leon Lott says Bailey’s story on how his girlfriend died doesn’t match the evidence and investigators think it was a case of domestic violence.

Bailey is being held without bail. It wasn’t clear if he had an attorney.