Discovery could put end to 16-year mystery
An angler on Lake Russell discovered an old Chevrolet in water about 17 feet deep Saturday around 4 p.m. near the Beer Garden Creek boat ramp. He alerted authorities, who sent a dive team to search the vehicle. Behind the driver’s seat, they found human remains.
Abbeville County Coroner Ronnie Ashley said they have an idea about who the remains belong to.
“We’re not certain, but investigators are trying to determine if the remains are connected to a missing person from 16 years ago,” Ashley said.
They will not release the name of the individual they believe the remains are from until the identity has been confirmed, but Ashley did say that a missing person case remains unsolved after a Calhoun Falls man was reported missing 16 years ago.
An autospy of the remains will be performed Monday, which is expected to produce the identity and cause of death.
Coincidentally, this is the same area of Lake Russell that another missing person, commercial fisherman Mitchell Gibson, disappeared from last month. Gibson’s tow vehicle and boat trailer were found at the Beer Garden Creek boat ramp, and while search teams found some of his personal belongings, his boat was never found and he has not been seen since March 13.
