In a chilling development to a long-standing missing persons case, a South Carolina man has been charged with murder after the remains of a woman missing for over two years were discovered buried under a firepit at a residential property earlier this summer.
Sheridan Dirk Fogle, 54, was taken into custody on Thursday, following the execution of an arrest warrant at the 1800 block of Broughton Street in Orangeburg. This arrest is directly linked to the disappearance and subsequent murder of Penni Whiteside, as confirmed by the Myrtle Beach Police Department.
Penni Whiteside, who was last seen on May 11, 2022, had been residing with Fogle at a residence on the 600 block of 1st Avenue at the time of her disappearance. Whiteside was 51 years old. The exact nature of the relationship between Whiteside and Fogle remains unclear.
The case took a turn when neighbors’ statements during the investigation led police to suspect that Whiteside’s body might be buried near the residence she shared with Fogle. Acting on these suspicions, investigators conducted a search of the property and on June 12, discovered human remains buried beneath a firepit in the backyard. The Horry County Coroner’s Office later confirmed that the remains belonged to Whiteside, though they have not yet disclosed her cause of death.
“This is a tragic loss of life and a senseless crime of violence,” the Myrtle Beach Police Department stated in a news release. “Please continue to pray for the family and friends of the victim.”
Following his arrest, Fogle was booked into the J. Reuben Long Detention Center in Horry County on Friday. As of now, he remains in custody with no bail set, according to online records.
Details regarding Fogle’s legal representation remain unclear, and it is not yet known when his next court hearing will take place. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Whiteside’s death, seeking answers to bring justice for her and closure for her loved ones.
Crime and Cask will continue to monitor this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.