More Information On Decomposed Female Body Found Covered In Trash

Columbia, SC (WOLO)– A badly decomposed woman’s body was found covered in trash at the mobile home park on 6620 Two Notch Road. The Richland County Sheriffs Department could not determine race or age of the victim on scene, but they can confirm the body had been there for more than 24 hours. They are calling this a possible murder.   

“Folks said there had been some sort of stench over the last week or two. So again, it will be up to the corner to determine cause of death, identity and that sort of thing, as well as how long the body has been here,” Maj. Stephany Snowden said, with RCSD. 

“Well for the past 2 or 3 days we had a really bad odor, I thought it was just the sewer system, but it got kind of bad for the past two days,” Bennie Backmon said, a tire technician with Go Used Tires. 

Deputies say the body was discovered around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday by a maintenance worker doing routine yard work at the mobile home. They say the victim was covered by trash near a dumpster.

“We’re not going to theorize about how long the body has been here. We just don’t know. Has it been two weeks? Has it been four? We don’t know. I’m quite sure for whoever the family is, they’re missing their loved one,” Maj. Snowden said. 

Richland County coroners, criminal investigators, regional deputies as well as the fire department were at the scene. They have not determined whether there was foul play.

“The body was in such decomposition that that’s just not something that can be determined just from sight,” Maj. Snowden said. 

In front of the mobile home, there are a couple businesses and they say it makes them uneasy having this happen right in their backyard.

“It’s kind of a little close right there for comfort… little close… just gotta be a little more careful,” Backmon said. 

Backmon said he is not surprised something like this happened and hopes this brings a stronger police presence to the area.

“But in this neighborhood, you can never tell what might happen around here,” Backmon said.  A lot of unanswered questions that will remain until the Richland County coroner gives his report. He says he will not release any information until Thursday afternoon. ABC Columbia will bring you the latest information as it becomes available.