Edisto Beach, SC Area Cold Cases

Name

Dorothy Olbert

Age

50

Cause of Death

Trauma

Info

At around midnight on february 4, 1975, 50-year-old dorothy kay olbert was reported missing by her husband on hilton head island, after failing to return from a church meeting.About 45 minutes after she was reported missing, olbert was found deceased outside her vehicle near the back gate of shipyard plantation off of north forest beach drive. Forensic autopsy revealed that olbert died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head. Numerous interviews were conducted, as well as forensic examination, which was limited at the time, of evidence collected at the scene. Olbert had no known enemies and the motive for her death was not apparent.

Agency

Beaufort County

Name

George Davie

Age

56

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

At approximately 1:00 am on october 16, 1981, 56-year-old security officer george davie was shot and killed at the port royal plantation gate. Deputies determined that the unknown subjects stole davie’s handgun following the shooting. No witnesses were identified. Investigators gathered information to suggest that davie was committed to his responsibilities as a security officer and may have refused local drug dealers access to deliver illegal drugs their customers in the plantation. This information was never corroborated.

Agency

Beaufort County

Name

Jennifer Olson

Age

19

Cause of Death

Blunt Force Inflicted

Info

On july 30, 1989, a jogger on the beach discovered the deceased body of 19-year-old jennifer olson in the surf near the westin resort on hilton head island. Forensic autopsy revealed that olson died as result of injuries caused by blunt force inflicted by unknown subjects in the early morning hours of july 30, and that she may been been victim of a sexual assault. Investigators learned that olsen was accompanying her family at an insurance convention at the westin, where she made a few acquaintances. Those people were interviewed in the days following her murder. Witnesses reported that one of the persons interviewed by investigators, a male subject, had been sitting with olson in the westin pool area near the beach at approximately 3:00 am; a few hours before she was found dead. That subject was interviewed numerous times about his involvement in olson’s murder, but denied any involvement. In 1992, the same subject was charged and convicted of murdering a woman in another state, where he is serving a life sentence. He remains a strong person of interest in jennifer olson’s death.

Agency

Beaufort County

Name

Joseph Holmes

Age

68

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Just before 8:00 pm on december 20, 2006, 68-year-old joseph holmes was shot and killed by two male subjects at the sheldon convenience store, sheldon. Deputies interviewed an eyewitness to the incident, who advised that two armed subjects wearing face masks entered the store and announced it was a robbery. The witness reported that the subjects fired several shots and holmes, who was sitting at a table inside the store, was shot. The witness stated that the two subjects fled from the store following the shooting. Holmes, who had been transported to the beaufort memorial hospital by emergency medical services for treatment, later died as a result of gunshot wounds.

Agency

Beaufort County

Name

Harry Fripp

Age

19

Cause of Death

Stabbing

Info

In the late afternoon of april 7, 2008, 19-year-old harry fripp was stabbed to death behind the sandalwood terrace apartments on hilton head island. Witnesses told investigators that they observed fripp running from a white mercedes benz occupied by three african-american men. Witnesses saw the three men exit the mercedes and chase fripp behind one of the apartment buildings. A short time later, witnesses saw the three men, who had been chasing fripp, emerge from behind the building, get back into the mercedes and speed off. Witnesses then found fripp who had been stabbed multiple times and called first responders. Fripp was transported to the hilton head hospital, where he died a short time later. Suspects were identified through investigation and forensic evidence linked one of the three to the crime. Prosecutors were consulted, but based on the type of forensic evidence linking the subject to the crime, declined to prosecute.

Agency

Beaufort County

Name

Eleanor McLeod

Age

84

Cause of Death

Strangulation

Info

In the afternoon of january 17, 2010, 84-year-old eleanor mcleod was found dead in her sandalwood terrace, hilton head island apartment. A forensic autopsy revealed mcleod died as a result of ligature strangulation. Investigators learned that the wheelchair bound mcleod relied heavily on caregivers and friends to assist her in daily activities. In investigating her caregivers, one was developed as a person of interest, but the threshold of probable cause to file charges has not been met.

Agency

Beaufort County