SUMTER, SC – Authorities in Sumter County are delving into two separate cases involving human remains, leaving the community on edge as they await further developments. Local law enforcement is working diligently to piece together the details after two distressing discoveries emerged this week.
Earlier today, deputies from the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene off Boulevard Road to investigate a burned-out vehicle containing a body. The case, now under the jurisdiction of the Sumter Police Department, is just one of the alarming incidents that have unfolded in the area.
In a separate investigation, independent search and rescue divers made a startling discovery in the Rocky Bluff Swamp, located just south of Crestwood High School. Adam Brown, a Columbia resident known for his expertise in underwater search and rescue, played a crucial role in this find. Brown, alongside his diving partner Jason Serato, had been checking local waters for missing persons when they stumbled upon a submerged car.
The two divers have dedicated years to scouring databases and local bodies of water, focusing on cases where both individuals and their vehicles have vanished. Their efforts paid off Monday morning when a simple fishing magnet revealed the presence of a vehicle beneath the swamp’s surface.
Brown’s experience led him to suspect a vehicle based on how the magnet reacted. Deploying a drone confirmed his suspicion—a silver car lay submerged. The discovery, while fortuitous, brings hope that a family may soon have closure.
Despite the somber nature of their work, Brown and Serato are committed to assisting families in finding their loved ones. “It’s about being in the right place at the right time,” Brown explained, reflecting on the unpredictable nature of their searches. “There are countless missing people, and while it’s never easy, we strive to bring them home.”
The Sumter County coroner has indicated that it may take until next week to identify the remains and notify the public of the victims’ identities. As the investigation continues, local authorities remain tight-lipped, unable to disclose further details at this stage.