News & Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jeffrey Lampkin, PIO
7/19/21 10:00 AM (803)576-1790
Hall County, GA
The body of a drowning victim who has been missing since April has been found on Lake Lanier in Hall County, Georgia.
20-year-old Dorian Pinson’s body was recovered after an extensive search which included the assistance of the Richland County Forensic K-9 unit. The K-9 unit dogs are specialized in human remains detection.
Pinson, a Greenville, South Carolina pro-basketball player went missing on April 18th when he was out with two other people after renting a pontoon boat. The group tried to go swimming but Pinson did not resurface. It had been 86 days since he was reported missing. The Forensic K-9 unit of Richland County assisted in the search along with Bruce’s Legacy, a nonprofit based in Wisconsin that provided Advanced sonar technology.
“This was one of the most challenging searches I’ve experienced in my 8 year career”, says Michel Galliot, forensic K-9 unit handler. “The water is constantly moving. That combined with the wind and the depth makes the lake very dangerous for a diver. It’s emotional. I feel for the family. I always think it could be one of my own. This is why I do this. It must be hard on them. It is hard on us and you can tell the dogs also feel it.”
The case remains under investigation by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources(DNR).
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jeffrey Lampkin, PIO
4/15/21 11:30 AM (803)576-1790
RICHLAND COUNTY, SC
Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford is announcing a public burial and memorial service for 23 members of the Richland County community.
“The Richland County Coroner’s office will not be limited in our compassion, commitment, and purpose of serving our community. Some of these burials are for those who were unclaimed, had no living family members, or are simply unable to be buried by traditional means. Even in death, we want to show that their lives mattered.”, Coroner Rutherford states.
The service will take place Sunday, April 18th, 1:30 pm, at the Richland County Cemetery, located at 779 Old Clemson Road, Columbia, SC.
The service is open to the public with CDC Covid-19 regulations regarding mask and social distancing enforced.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jeffrey Lampkin, PIO
3/29/21 11:50 AM (803)576-1790
RICHLAND COUNTY, SC
Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford is releasing the name of the individual involved in a fatal accident that occurred around 9 pm in Hopkins, on Saturday, March 27, 2021. According to Coroner Rutherford, the victim is identified as Jason J. Hugenin, 29, of Gadsden, SC.
“We are working with the South Carolina Highway Patrol to fully investigate this accident”, Coroner Rutherford states.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jeffrey Lampkin, PIO
3/15/21 11:30 AM (803)576-1790
RICHLAND COUNTY, SC
Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford is releasing the name of the individual involved in a fatal homicide shooting that occurred around 5am at the intersection of McCaw Street and Malcolm Drive, just off Two Notch Road near Fontaine Road, on Saturday, March 13, 2021.
According to Coroner Rutherford, the victim is identified as Ashli G. Haigler, 28, of West Columbia, SC. We are working with Richland County Sheriff’s Department to fully investigate this matter”, Coroner Rutherford states.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jeffrey Lampkin, PIO
3/12/21 11:30 AM (803)576-1790
RICHLAND COUNTY, SC
Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford is releasing the name of the individual involved in a fatal homicide shooting that occurred at Capital City Cycles on Two Notch Road, just off Interstate 77, on Thursday, March 11, 2021.
According to Coroner Rutherford, the victim is identified as Charles E. Lilly, 55, of Beech Island, SC. “We are working with Richland County Sheriff’s Department to fully investigate this matter”, Coroner Rutherford states.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jeffrey Lampkin, PIO
3/5/21 11:00 AM (803)576-1790
RICHLAND COUNTY, SC
Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford is releasing the name of the infant who was found unresponsive at The Colony apartments on Thursday, March 4, 2021.
“Kali Davis, 3 weeks old, was found unresponsive at The Colony apartments in Columbia, South Carolina. The incident occurred just before 5:30 am on the morning of March 4, 2021.“We are currently investigating this matter in collaboration with the City Of Columbia Police Department and SLED.”, Coroner Rutherford states.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jeffrey Lampkin, PIO
2/22/21 10:00 AM (803)576-1790
RICHLAND COUNTY, SC
Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford is releasing the name of the 4-year-old who was fatally injured during a fall that occurred at Embassy Suites Hotel on Saturday, February 20, 2021.
“Maiya Caughman, 4, was fatally injured during a fall at Embassy Suites Hotel in Columbia, South Carolina. The incident occurred just before 2 am on the morning of February 20, 2021. I am personally investigating this matter in collaboration with the City Of Columbia Police Department. We are urging all guests who may have seen Maiya or have any information to please call 803-576-1799. No detail is too small”, Coroner Rutherford states.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jeffrey Lampkin, PIO
1/12/21 2:10 PM (803)576-1790
RICHLAND COUNTY, SC
Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford is releasing the names of the three young men who were involved in a fatal shooting incident Sunday, January 9, 2021.
The victims have been identified as Jaquan Boatwright of Orangeburg, SC and Raekwon Malone and Khorrey Jones, both of Columbia, SC. The shooting occurred at 716 Zimalcrest Drive, Columbia SC.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jeffrey Lampkin, PIO
1/14/21 1:00 PM (803)576-3365
RICHLAND COUNTY, SC
Naida Rutherford, Coroner for Richland County releases the following statement:
“There was one fatality of the plane crash that occurred at 2909 Kennedy Street, Columbia, SC. The decedent has been identified as Mr. Farhad Rostampour, 62, of Greenville, SC. We are currently working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to investigate this matter. Our condolences to his family. Please contact our PIO, Jeffrey Lampkin for any additional information.”
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