The tragic death of 14-year-old Kaden Moses on December 30, 2023, has left his family in Clinton, South Carolina, grappling with an overwhelming sense of loss and unanswered questions. Despite being classified as a homicide by the Laurens County Coroner’s Office, no one has been prosecuted for his death. Kaden was found shot in the head with a .243 bolt-action rifle, a devastating end to a night that started like any other, with Kaden and a friend playing video games.
The investigation, which was taken over by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), remains shrouded in mystery. Letters between SLED and Kaden’s mother, Erika Moses, paint a picture of a stalled investigation—one that has failed to bring closure to a grieving family. This in-depth look at the case examines the timeline, the unanswered questions, and why justice seems so far out of reach.
A Mother’s Nightmare Unfolds
On the night of the shooting, Erika Moses was awoken by her daughter, alerting her that Kaden had been shot. Rushing to his room, she found her son unresponsive, sitting in his gaming chair. Kaden’s male friend, who had been present earlier, was nowhere to be found. Instead, the boy was discovered later outside in freezing weather without a jacket, a detail that has raised red flags for Erika and other family members. When he saw Erika outside, he ran by and yelled, “I unloaded the gun.”
The coroner’s report, which ruled Kaden’s death a homicide, revealed that the bullet entered the left side of his head and exited through the top right side. Coroner Dr. Claire Rose, alongside Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Michael Ward, concluded that the shot was fired at close range, consistent with the .243 bolt-action rifle found in the home. Despite the weapon being found, the case took a bizarre twist when Kaden’s truck keys, which should have been locked away along with the ammunition, were found behind a washing machine months later—adding to the suspicion surrounding the events of that night.
SLED’s Involvement and Letters to the Family
Shortly after the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office handed over the investigation, Senior Special Agent April Merrill of SLED’s Special Victims Unit took charge. In a letter dated September 30, 2024, Thomas H. Robertson, SLED’s Major of Investigative Services, wrote to Erika, stating that the investigation had been “thorough and complete based on the facts and information we have at this time.” Yet, for Erika, these words brought no comfort. The letter continued:
“Simply put, there is just not sufficient evidence to charge anyone with a crime based on the information we have now.”
The tone of the letter highlights the frustration not only of the investigators but also of the family, who are left questioning why the investigation seems to be at a standstill. Why, for instance, was Kaden’s friend—the only person with him that night in his room—not immediately questioned? Or allegedly not questioned at all?
The boy who was at the house with Kaden has yet to be formally interviewed by law enforcement according to Kaden’s mother. This crucial omission is baffling to Erika, who wonders how such an integral witness could remain untouched by investigators.
The Coroner’s Conclusion: “No Way He Shot Himself”
Adding to the cloud of confusion is a critical statement from the coroner. Erika was reportedly told by Dr. Rose that there was “no way” Kaden had shot himself. This ruling further complicates the narrative, ruling out suicide and leaving the door open to more sinister possibilities. The ballistics, coupled with the coroner’s declaration, should have spurred a deeper investigation into the whereabouts and actions of Kaden’s friend on that fateful night. Yet, the boy’s absence from official interviews raises troubling concerns. Crime and Cask News hereby officially requests to interview the young man with his parents present to get his side of the story.
If Kaden didn’t shoot himself, who did? And why haven’t law enforcement officers pressed harder for answers from the person who was with him at the time?
A Closed Case, But Not for the Family
In the same letter, Major Robertson acknowledged that if new, credible evidence emerged, SLED would reopen the case. However, for now, the agency considers the matter closed. This declaration has left Kaden’s family devastated. They are not only grieving the loss of their son but also grappling with a system that, in their eyes, has failed to bring them justice.
“This investigation is thorough and complete based on the facts and information we have at this time,” the letter states. But Erika Moses knows there are more facts yet to be uncovered. The leather jacket her son’s friend wore to the house that night is missing, the location of the rifle’s ammunition remains a mystery, and most importantly, the friend’s account of the evening has not been formally scrutinized.
The Fight for Justice
As the months have dragged on, Erika Moses has vowed not to give up. She is demanding answers and more transparency from law enforcement, and she wants the boy who was with Kaden that night to be interviewed. Why wasn’t this done sooner? Why has no one been held accountable?
Erika’s fight for justice is far from over. Though SLED may have closed the case for now, the family is determined to keep searching for answers. Kaden’s death was no accident, and until the full truth comes to light, this grieving mother will continue her pursuit of justice.
Crime and Cask will continue to follow this story closely, as it is a reflection of not only one family’s tragedy but also the broader challenges faced by families seeking justice in a system that sometimes seems more focused on closing cases than solving them. Stay tuned for more updates on this heartbreaking case and the quest for answers.
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