James Seidel 
Unsolved Murders of Too Many Young Men in Clinton, SC
CC News Network | James Seidel | South Carolina News
Clinton, SC Families Still Waiting for Justice: Unsolved Deaths of Zay Hurley and Kaden Moses
CLINTON, S.C. — In a town gripped by grief and confusion, a few Clinton, SC families continue their desperate search for justice in the unsolved deaths of two promising young athletes: Zarius “Zay” Hurley, 17, and Kaden Moses, 14. Both were students and athletes at Clinton High School—Zay passionate about basketball, Kaden a rising football standout. Now, their names echo through a community that is mourning and demanding answers.
Zay Hurley: A Family Pleads for Justice
On April 4, 2024, Zay Hurley was found dead during a standoff incident in Clinton. Authorities arrested 24-year-old Elliot Brown, but he was later released on bond. The Hurley family has since offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, hoping to shake loose any details that could lead to accountability. Despite Zay being described as a kind-hearted and friendly teen with a bright future, the investigation appears to have stalled.
Kaden Moses: Unsolved Murder? No. A Homicide Solved but No Charges Filed
On December 30, 2023, 14-year-old Kaden Moses was shot in the head with a .243 bolt-action rifle at his home. Though initially treated as a suicide, the Laurens County Coroner officially ruled Kaden’s death a homicide, caused by being “shot by another person.” That classification appears on his death certificate, along with the path of the fatal bullet: entering the left side of his head and exiting the top right.
Kaden was playing video games with a friend (identified as “Henry” for privacy) that night, while on the phone with his girlfriend. She recalls hearing Kaden say, “What are…” before a gunshot cut off his sentence. In a series of statements from Kaden’s family, neighbors, and others present at the time, a picture emerges of inconsistencies, possible tampering with evidence, and law enforcement missteps.
Witnesses claim that Henry allegedly changed clothes after the shooting, reportedly helped by his mother and sister. A neighbor says Henry blurted out, “My fingerprints are on the bullet,” before running to a waiting vehicle. Despite this, Henry was never tested for gunshot residue, never had his fingerprints or DNA collected, and was not interviewed by SLED for weeks. When questioned, he invoked his Fifth Amendment rights.
The case was closed by SLED in mid-2024, with Solicitor Stumbo of the Eighth Circuit declining to press charges even though it’s reported that their office knows that Henry pulled the trigger. This is the same David Stumbo that considering running for South Carolina Attorney General.
Also Under Scrutiny: KJ Adams
We are also investigating the death of KJ Adams, a 20-year-old Clinton High School graduate who passed away on November 29, 2023. While details remain limited, the circumstances surrounding his death have raised concern in the community. Adams’ case, like those of Hurley and Moses, falls under the jurisdiction of Eighth Circuit Solicitor David Stumbo, whose office has come under increasing scrutiny.
Stumbo, currently serving as solicitor for Laurens and surrounding counties, has already announced ambitions for higher office. He is touting early support in the 2026 race for South Carolina Attorney General, raising further questions about the impartiality and priorities of the office overseeing these unresolved deaths.
Unsolved Murders – Young Lives, No Accountability
Zay Hurley, KJ Adams and Kaden Moses had dreams, goals, and families who loved them. Their deaths raise urgent questions about the effectiveness of local law enforcement and the burden placed on grieving families to investigate and advocate on their own.
Adding to the concern is the timing of South Carolina’s new open carry law, which took effect in 2024. Some residents are questioning whether increased access to firearms is contributing to the state’s rising rate of unsolved murders. As families beg for justice, their calls often go unanswered.
Crime and Cask News, the investigative branch of the CC News Network, has been on the front lines of all three cases, exposing new evidence and pressing for accountability.
A Call to Action
If you have any information about the murder of Zay Hurley, please contact the Clinton Police Department. For tips related to the death of Kaden Moses, contact SLED or email Crime and Cask News directly.
A GoFundMe page has been launched to assist the Moses family with funeral expenses, therapy for Kaden’s siblings, and attorney fees as they pursue justice. You can donate here: https://gofund.me/81a60d7e
Both families say they won’t stop until justice is served. “We will never give up,” said Erika Moses, Kaden’s mother. “Not when the truth is this close.”
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James Seidel – Publisher, Journalist, Author. Investigator, Podcaster, Radio Talk Show Host, and Music Producer.
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