Authorities identify woman found in Hopkins woods

HOPKINS, S.C. (AP) — Authorities in Richland County have identified a woman who died after being found unresponsive in a wooded area.

Coroner Gary Watts says 53-year-old Francena N. Higgins of Oswego was pronounced dead at a hospital at around 9:45 a.m. Sunday.

Sheriff’s deputies tell local media outlets they found an unoccupied vehicle with keys inside and unlocked while parked in the middle of a road in Hopkins. Lawrence says after the vehicle was towed, deputies searched the area and found an unresponsive female nearby in the woods at 5:30 a.m.

Authorities haven’t released many details, but Watts says Higgins died from “homicidal violence.”

The investigation is ongoing.