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Two Years After Candido Montanez Jr.’s Tragic Death, Questions Remain About Patterns of Violence in Beaufort County.

By James Seidel
CC News Network

SAINT HELENA ISLAND, S.C. — Nearly two years have passed since Candido “Monty” Montanez Jr., a beloved Beaufort County Parks and Recreation employee, was tragically killed. Montanez’s death on July 10, 2023, has left his family and law enforcement seeking answers in a region where unsolved murders have become alarmingly common.

Montanez, 66, was found dead on Club Bridge Road, and no arrests have been made. Known as a coach and mentor to countless youth in the area, Montanez’s death shook the community. “Monty was a beloved Beaufort County Parks and Recreation employee and long-time coach of youth baseball, basketball, and football,” a Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) spokesperson said.

Candido Montanez Jr from Beaufort County

BCSO said deputies were called to a report of a “man down” around 11 p.m. Monday on Club Bridge Road near Seaside Road.

On the scene, they found a 66-year-old man, now identified as Candido Montanez, laying in the road, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

This is not the first person who has been gunned down by multiple guns shot near Seaside Rd. Seaside Road and other places very near here have a storied past of men shot multiple times, leaving unsolved murders in Beaufort County.

Unsolved Murders in Beaufort County — Beaufort County Unsolved Murders

Dominique Moon, a family member, has pleaded with the community for information: “So, I just feel like if, you know, just open your mouth and say something. Help us out. Find some closure. Get justice. Help my mom sleep better at night because I know she still tosses and turns.”

This case, like many others in Beaufort County, highlights troubling patterns of gun violence, targeted killings, and a lack of witness cooperation. Law enforcement officials have urged anyone with information about Montanez’s death to contact Lieutenant Jason Malphrus at 843-255-3233. Anonymous tips can be submitted via Crime Stoppers of Beaufort County through the P3 Tips App, TIPSBFT.COM, or by calling 1-844-847-7238.

A Broader Pattern of Violence

Montanez’s death is part of a larger, troubling trend of unsolved murders in Beaufort County. Cases such as the killings of Raymundo Lopez (2011), Julius Chaplin (2011), and Antonio Brewer (2015) illustrate commonalities, including gun violence, targeted attacks, and connections to criminal activity. In many instances, victims appear to have been deliberately targeted, often tied to personal disputes, drug-related motives, or retaliation.

For example, the murder of Joe Washington in 2011 was believed to be retaliation for the killing of Julius Chaplin just one day earlier. Similarly, Antonio Brewer was reportedly targeted to prevent his testimony in a court case.

The Role of Geography and Unresolved Connections

Saint Helena Island and surrounding areas, including Seaside Road and Highway 21, have emerged as key locations for many of these crimes. These secluded areas, often difficult to patrol, provide an environment where violence can occur without immediate detection.

Beaufort County road, black as night, rural, rare police presence.

Adding another layer of complexity is the connection to high-profile figures, such as Alex Murdaugh, whose ties to Barrett T. Boulware, a suspected drug smuggler, and the infamous Moselle estate murders, continue to raise questions. The region’s history of drug trafficking, exemplified by Operation Jackpot, adds further intrigue to the unresolved violence in the area.

Jerry Rivers, an alleged drug supplier to Murdaugh, recently revealed to CC News Network that tow trucks are often used to transport drugs concealed within vehicles, a tactic that may play a role in criminal activities tied to the region.

A Call for Justice and Community Cooperation

As law enforcement agencies, including the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), work to solve these cases, community cooperation remains critical. Solving these murders requires not only forensic evidence but also the willingness of witnesses to come forward.

For Montanez’s family, and the families of other victims, closure is long overdue. Beaufort County deserves answers, and the broader issues of violence and criminal activity in the region demand urgent attention.

Anyone with information about unsolved murders in Beaufort County is encouraged to contact local law enforcement or submit tips anonymously.

For ongoing coverage of this case and other investigations, follow CC News Network for in-depth reporting and updates.

Stay connected with CC News Network’s investigative work by following us on social media for the latest insights into Beaufort County’s most pressing stories.

In other news for the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff PJ Tanner personally directed the arrest of Beaufort County resident Skip Hoagland on Monday January 27th, 2025 when Hoagland attempted to enter a public meeting being held at a Bluffton eatery for the Beaufort County GOP, according to reporter Lee Granade. So, at lease the BCSO is keeping 80-year-old men off the streets. Meanwhile the unsolved murders are piling up on someone’s desk.

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