EDGEFIELD COUNTY, S.C. () – One person has been arrested after a missing person investigation has ended with the discovery of a body.
The Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office reported that on Thursday, October 9th, investigators entered the residence of a man who had been missing since June. With a search warrant in hand, they discovered the body of James Wheeler, Sr. inside his home.
The family had cooperated with investigators but initially didn’t express major concern, stating that Wheeler often traveled for long periods without informing anyone. However, suspicions arose when summer ended with no word from him and further examination showed no activity in his bank accounts since his disappearance had been reported.
Recently, investigators noted that Wheeler’s daughter, Monica Lee Wheeler-Walton, 54, started to show uncooperative and unpredictable behavior, which shifted the investigation’s focus onto her.
Authorities have charged Wheeler-Walton with Murder and Desecration of Human Remains, and she is being held at the Edgefield County Detention Center.
An autopsy is scheduled for next week.
This is an ongoing investigation.
