Unsolved Murders in Beaufort County

Unsolved Murders in Beaufort County, SC: A Troubling Pattern and an Alex Murdaugh Connection

By James Seidel
CC News Network

Beaufort County, South Carolina, has a series of unsolved murders spanning over a decade, each marked by unique circumstances yet sharing disturbing commonalities. Despite the passage of time, justice remains elusive for the victims and their families, with investigators grappling to solve these cases. Here’s a look at these unsolved crimes and what they may have in common.

The Cases: A Timeline of Violence on St. Helena Island in South Carolina

• Raymundo Lopez (April 25, 2011) Unsolved Murder
  Lopez, 28, was found shot multiple times in his Seaside Road home on St. Helena Island. Witnesses described him as a known marijuana and cocaine dealer, and robbery appeared to be the motive. Items were missing from his home, but no suspects have been identified.
• Julius Chaplin (October 5, 2011) Unsolved Murder
  Chaplin, 44, was shot to death in his driveway on Fripp Point Road. Witnesses heard gunfire and a vehicle speeding off, but no one could provide a description. Evidence indicated multiple firearms were used. A day later, Joe Washington, a person of interest in Chaplin’s murder, was killed.
• Joe Washington (October 6, 2011) Unsolved Murder
  Washington, 32, died after being shot in his vehicle, which then struck a utility pole and caught fire on Folly Road, St. Helena Island. Investigators recovered a handgun linked to Chaplin’s murder from Washington’s vehicle, suggesting a possible retaliation motive.
• Octavius Moultrie (April 10, 2012) Unsolved Murder
  Moultrie, 23, was gunned down on Fawnwood Lane in Seabrook. Witnesses reported two men exiting an SUV and firing at Moultrie, who attempted to flee before succumbing to his injuries. Suspects were identified, but no charges have been filed.

• Antonio Brewer (March 20, 2015) Unsolved Murder
  Brewer, 34, was shot in the parking lot of Port Royal Apartments in front of his girlfriend and young child. Witnesses described the shooter and an accomplice fleeing in a gray car, possibly a Honda or Toyota. Brewer’s murder may have been an attempt to prevent him from testifying in a court case.

•     Marquise Tyquan Singleton (July 31, 2016) Unsolved Murder
  Singleton, 21, was found with multiple gunshot wounds in his vehicle on Sam Doyle Drive. Despite being transported to Beaufort Memorial Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries. No suspects or witnesses have been identified.

Common Threads

While the circumstances of these murders vary, several patterns emerge:

• Gun Violence
  All the cases involve firearms, with most victims shot multiple times, meaning the killers were making sure they were dead. This trend highlights a concerning prevalence of gun violence in Beaufort County, especially in targeted attacks.
• Targeted Killings
  Many of the victims appear to have been deliberately targeted rather than being victims of random violence. This includes:
  • Joe Washington (possibly killed in retaliation for Chaplin’s murder).
  • Antonio Brewer (allegedly targeted to prevent court testimony).
• Connections to Criminal Activity
  Some victims were linked to criminal behavior, such as drug dealing (e.g., Lopez) or involvement in legal disputes (e.g., Brewer). While this doesn’t justify their deaths, it may have played a role in the motives.
• Lack of Witness Cooperation
  Despite evidence and witnesses in several cases, many murders remain unsolved due to uncooperative witnesses or insufficient evidence to support charges.
• Geographical Concentration
  Several murders occurred on St. Helena Island, suggesting a localized issue within this area of Beaufort County. Here is a map of the murders clustered together.

• Unsolved Cases Linked to Retaliation
  The murders of Julius Chaplin and Joe Washington highlight a potential cycle of retaliatory violence, with the recovered firearm tying the two cases together.

A Chilling Connection to Alex Murdaugh

A surprising link emerges in the case of Joe Washington, whose wife, Cynthia Washington, sent a cryptic, religiously themed text to Alex Murdaugh hours before the infamous murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh. While the connection may be coincidental, it underscores the complex web of relationships and tragedies in this region.

Mark Roseneau has served as the president of Trenchards Island, Inc. since its registration with the South Carolina Secretary of State in 2005. The one-acre property seen in the map above, accessible only by boat and located at the junction of the Story River and Trenchards Inlet, is often referred to as the “fish camp“ in politically connected Beaufort circles. Adding to the intrigue, Roseneau is married to Jerri Roseneau, the Beaufort County Clerk of Court. Rumors have long swirled about extravagant parties and potentially questionable activities taking place on the secluded island, though specifics remain elusive. The combination of its exclusivity and the Roseneaus’ high-profile connections has fueled ongoing curiosity about the true nature of Trenchards Island and its role in the community.

This island also owned by Alex Murdaugh and Barrett Boulware. It has water depths of approximately 10 feet, plenty deep enough for a shrimp boat or large fishing vessel to pull up to. A shrimp boat typically requires 4 to 8 feet of water depth to float, depending on its size and load. Here are key factors that determine the water depth needed:

1. Boat Size and Draft:
   • Draft refers to the depth of water a boat needs to float. For shrimp boats:
     • Small shrimp boats (under 30 feet): Typically require 3-4 feet of water.
     • Medium shrimp boats (30-60 feet): Require 4-6 feet of water.
     • Large commercial shrimp boats (over 60 feet): May need 6-8 feet or more.
2. Load and Weight:
   • The boat’s draft increases when it is heavily loaded with shrimp, gear, or fuel. Add 1-2 feet of clearance for safe operation in shallow waters.
3. Tide and Water Conditions:
   • Shrimp boats often operate in coastal waters or estuaries with varying tides. Ensure the water depth accommodates the boat’s draft at low tide.
4. Safety Margin:
   • Always allow for at least 1-2 feet of additional water depth as a safety buffer to avoid grounding, especially in shallow or muddy areas.

Barrett T. Boulware, a now deceased former commercial fisherman from Allendale, South Carolina, was suspected for years of using his shrimp boats to smuggle drugs along the southeastern U.S. coast. In February 1983, he and his father faced federal charges after authorities seized approximately 17 tons of marijuana from a shrimp boat near the Bahamas, though the case was dropped after a key government witness died under suspicious circumstances. Boulware also had a close personal and business relationship with Alex Murdaugh, the disgraced South Carolina attorney, with whom he co-owned several properties, including the Moselle estate, now infamous as the site of the 2021 murders of Murdaugh’s wife and son.

Operation Jackpot, a massive federal investigation in the late 1970s and early 1980s, targeted South Carolina’s role as a hub for drug smuggling along the southeastern U.S. coast. The operation exposed an extensive network of smugglers using shrimp boats, yachts, and other vessels to transport marijuana and cocaine through the state’s remote waterways and islands. Among those linked to similar smuggling activities was Barrett T. Boulware, a commercial fisherman and associate of Alex Murdaugh. In 1983, Boulware and his father faced federal charges after authorities seized 17 tons of marijuana from a shrimp boat near the Bahamas, though the case was dropped due to the suspicious death of a key witness. While not directly implicated in Operation Jackpot, Boulware’s alleged activities mirrored the type of large-scale drug trafficking that the operation sought to dismantle, highlighting South Carolina’s troubled past as a gateway for organized smuggling operations.

If there are illegal drugs being brought to this remote island, how would they get to the mainland? First of all, you’d find a deserted and quiet piece of property off of the Harbor River. Dark, quiet, away from prying eyes, and close to Hwy 21 and to I-95. Jerry Rivers, alleged drug dealer to Alex Murdaugh, told CC News Network that tow trucks are often used to transport drugs hidden in vehicles being towed. Rivers, who owned his own tow truck, revealed that it’s a common method for moving drugs undetected, as drivers typically don’t inspect the contents of the vehicles they haul. Rivers also allegedly supplied drugs to Curtis “Eddie” Smith, Murdaugh’s distant cousin and alleged accomplice in various schemes, including drug distribution. While tow truck drivers are generally not held liable for drugs found in towed vehicles unless they are aware of or complicit in the crime, Rivers’ admission sheds light on the creative tactics often used to traffic drugs and the connections that tied Murdaugh to illicit activities.

In South Carolina, a tow truck driver is generally not responsible for drugs found in a car they are towing, as long as the driver is not aware of or involved in the presence of the drugs.

• Constructive Possession: In South Carolina, constructive possession of drugs requires knowledge of the drugs and the ability to control them. A tow truck driver unknowingly transporting a car with drugs would not meet this standard.
• Good Faith Defense: Tow truck drivers can claim they were performing their job in good faith without knowledge of any illegal substances in the towed vehicle.

What’s Next?

Beaufort County law enforcement continues to seek answers in these cases, with some investigations still active. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) plays a key role in examining forensic evidence, but community cooperation is crucial to solving these murders.

As for Murdaugh’s island, maybe law enforcement down there can keep an eye on the tow trucks coming and going on Seaside Rd heading towards Highway 21. You know, where most of these drug related murders happened.

Call to Action

Anyone with information about these cases is urged to contact law enforcement. The families of the victims deserve answers, and resolving these cases could help address the broader issues of violence in Beaufort County.

For more investigative stories and updates on unsolved crimes, follow CC News Network