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Double Homicide in Rural South Carolina Claims Lives of Two Lowcountry Women
REMBERT, S.C. (DailyKenn.com) — In a secluded wooded clearing off a rural road in Sumter County, the bodies of two Charleston-area women were discovered, sparking a double homicide investigation that culminated in an arrest more than a month later.
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On Aug. 8, a landowner found the remains of Kristen N. Grissom, 38, of North Charleston, and Christine Marie McAbee, 35, of Walterboro, near Richbow Road in the Rembert community. Authorities observed that the bodies appeared to have been intentionally placed at the site. While the women were believed to have known each other, the nature of their relationship remains unclear.
Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis announced the arrest of 29-year-old Tiamo Henry Mitchell Drakeford in connection with McAbee’s death. Drakeford faces charges of murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and desecration of human remains. For the first time, Dennis revealed that investigators now believe McAbee was shot at the Richbow Road location, rather than her body being dumped there after the killing.
Sumter County Coroner Robbie Baker confirmed McAbee died from a single gunshot wound, with her death ruled a homicide. An autopsy on Grissom, performed at the Medical University of South Carolina, revealed no signs of physical trauma, and her cause of death was pending toxicology results as of mid-August. Officials treated both cases as homicides pending further findings.
Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis described the incident as isolated, assuring the public there was no ongoing threat. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division assisted in the probe, which drew in North Charleston police due to Grissom's local ties. Investigators canvassed the area and appealed for tips, offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
The case broke open in early September when authorities charged a Camden man with two counts of murder, kidnapping and related offenses in connection with the killings. Details on a possible motive or the circumstances leading to the women's deaths have not been publicly released.
Grissom, also known as Nikki, was remembered in an obituary as a North Charleston resident who passed away on Aug. 8. Services were handled by Carolina Memorial Funeral Home.
The investigation remains active, with detectives urging anyone with information to contact the Sumter County Sheriff's Office at 803-436-2000.
https://www.oxygen.com/crime-news/kristen-grissom-christine-mcabee-found-dead-in-south-carolinaKristen Grissom Obituary (2025) - North Charleston, SC
https://obits.postandcourier.com/us/obituaries/charleston/name/kristen-grissom-obituary?id=59188648Bodies of 2 women found along rural road in South Carolina
https://www.wyff4.com/article/two-women-found-dead-south-carolina-sumter-county-road/65659170Homicide victims identified after bodies found on rural South Carolina road
https://www.wjcl.com/article/sumter-county-double-homicide/65664181Cause of death in homicide of 2nd woman found in Rembert pending toxicology report, Sumter coroner says
https://www.theitem.com/stories/cause-of-death-in-homicide-of-2nd-woman-found-in-rembert-pending-toxicology-report-sumter-coroner%2C432767Sumter Co. officials give new details in double homicide of two Charleston area women
https://abcnews4.com/news/local/sumter-co-officials-give-new-details-in-double-homicide-of-two-charleston-co-women-wciv-abc-news-4-charleston-sc-south-carolina-kristen-grissom-christine-mcabee-walterboro-north-charleston-rembertBodies of 2 women found in rural South Carolina woods, officials say
https://www.wbtv.com/2025/08/11/bodies-2-women-found-rural-south-carolina-woods-officials-say/Two women found dead in Sumter County clearing being investigated as a double homicide
https://www.wltx.com/article/news/crime/two-women-found-dead-sumter-county-double-homicide/101-4460ddfd-50eb-4f68-ab83-c0e9c3ce67ecDouble homicide investigation underway in Sumter County
https://wach.com/news/local/double-homicide-investigation-underway-in-sumter-county-august-2025-christine-mcabee-kristen-grissom2 South Carolina women found dead over 100 miles from home, homicide investigation underway: Coroner
https://abcnews.go.com/US/2-south-carolina-women-found-dead-100-miles/story?id=1245401422 women's bodies found in South Carolina clearing, homicide investigation underway
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/south-carolina-sumter-county-women-bodies-homicide-investigation/Bodies of Two Women Found in South Carolina with One Confirmed Dead from Gunshot Wound
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/articles/bodies-two-women-found-south-210024213.htmlAutopsy finds no physical trauma in North Charleston woman’s homicide
https://www.counton2.com/news/autopsy-finds-no-physical-trauma-in-north-charleston-womans-homicide/Update in death of two women found dead in South Carolina field
https://www.wltx.com/article/news/local/kristen-grissom-christine-mcbee-deaths/101-a516b68f-4896-425c-ad11-4564651a603fMUSC autopsy, Sumter coroner working on cause of death
https://www.postandcourier.com/news/local_state_news/lowcountry-charleston-sumter-musc-coroner-autopsy-homicide/article_c9b71df7-bbcb-4a7b-a2ce-c780003eb1e9.htmlSumter County offers $5K reward in double homicide case
https://www.wltx.com/article/news/crime/reward-offered-sumter-county-double-homicide/101-01bd6fe9-c1a4-4327-88cd-72559026522eTwo Charleston County women found dead in Sumter County identified, investigated as homicides
https://www.abccolumbia.com/2025/08/13/two-charleston-county-women-murdered-in-sumter-county-identified/Women’s bodies were found in the woods and SC man charged with murder, cops say
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article312103286.html
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