Suspect in 3 SC deaths tries to kill himself

NEW ZION, S.C. (AP) — Authorities say a 31-year-old man charged with killing three women during a crime spree last week has tried to kill himself in jail.

Clarendon County deputies said a bond hearing Monday for Jeffrey Eady was postponed after he was rushed to the hospital after harming himself. Eady’s condition was not immediately known.

Investigators say Eady killed 77-year-old Sadie Brown and 65-year-old Maybell White in Clarendon County, then drove to Charleston County, where he killed 37-year-old Crystal Johnson before robbing the convenience store where she worked.

Eady was arrested last weekend in Bay County, Fla., after a brief chase. He waived extradition Sunday and was returned to Clarendon County, where authorities say he helped officers find Brown’s body.

It wasn’t clear if he had an attorney.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

The body of a missing 77-year-old woman has been found in Clarendon County.

Sheriff Randy Garrett says the body of Sadie Brown was found Sunday in the Alcolu community after investigators talked with 31-year-old Jeffrey Eady.

Brown’s body was sent to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston for an autopsy Monday.

Eady was arrested in Bay County, Fla., on Saturday.

He is charged with murder in the death of Brown and two other women whose bodies were found last week. The body of Maybell White, 65, was found in Clarendon County. The body of Crystal Johnson, 37, was found in the convenience store where she worked in Adams Run in Charleston County.

The State Law Enforcement Division was able to link White’s death with Johnson’s death early Friday.

Eady also is charged with grand larceny, possession of a weapon during a violent crime and credit card fraud in the deaths of White and Brown.

SLED and the U.S. Marshal’s Office tracked Eady from Charleston to Macon, Ga., Panama City, Fla., and into Marion County, Ala. Bay County, Fla., deputies recognized the car and Eady was arrested after a brief chase by car and on foot.

Eady waived extradition Sunday and was returned to Clarendon County.

“This is one example of agencies working together,” Garrett said Sunday night. “It was more than one person or agency.

It was not clear if Eady has an attorney.