South Carolina Man Accused of Murder After Roommate’s Remains Found Under Backyard Fire Pit

South Carolina Man Charged with Murder Following Discovery of Roommate’s Remains Under Fire Pit

A 54-year-old man from Orangeburg, South Carolina, now faces charges of murder after the discovery of his former roommate’s remains in the backyard of his home. The remains were excavated from underneath a fire pit, according to local authorities.

The Arrest

Sheridan Dirk Fogle, the accused, was arrested on a Thursday morning in a joint effort by the Myrtle Beach Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety. They executed an arrest warrant related to a missing person and murder case that was opened on May 11, 2022.

The Discovery

The body of the 51-year-old victim, Penni Whiteside, was discovered on June 12, on 1st Avenue in Myrtle Beach, buried in her own yard. She was last known to be alive in the spring of 2022. The coroner’s office in Horry County has declared the death as a homicide under investigation by the Myrtle Beach Police Department.

The Investigation

As per police reports, Whiteside and Fogle were cohabiting in 2022. A series of witness statements from neighbors pointed to the possibility of Whiteside’s remains being buried in the backyard of her home, under a fire pit. This led investigators to apply for a search warrant for the property.

Upon execution of the warrant on June 12, 2024, the investigators found what was later confirmed as human remains of Whiteside. The manner of her demise has not yet been specified. The police department of Myrtle Beach took to social media to express their shock, calling it a “tragic loss of life and a senseless crime of violence”. They have asked the public to continue praying for the friends and family of Whiteside.

Onward Legal Proceedings

The charges against Fogle were announced following his arrest and subsequent booking into the Horry County Jail. The legal processes will continue as the investigation develops, while the prosecution prepares its case. Additional details about the conversations between the prosecution and Fogle’s legal representatives have not been released publicly.

The Community’s Reaction

The community of Orangeburg and Myrtle Beach has been left in a state of shock and grief following this incident. The friends and relatives of Whiteside are mourning her tragic death and are seeking justice. Residents have spoken of their astonishment and disarray, with many feeling the shock of such a gruesome crime happening in their neighborhood. The local authorities are working tirelessly to ensure all individuals linked to this case are brought to justice while they continue to provide support to Whiteside’s grieving family.