A neighbor found him lying face-down next to a freshly dug hole. What deputies found underneath it told a very different story than the one he'd given about a garden project.
The Discovery
A South Carolina man, identified as McKinnon, was found dead of an apparent heart attack next to a hole he had been digging in his yard, according to local sheriff's officials. He had told a neighbor he was creating a water feature for his garden. A different neighbor found him unresponsive and called police.
A Missing Girlfriend
When deputies arrived, they were unable to locate McKinnon's girlfriend, Patricia Ruth Dent, who lived with him and hadn't responded to messages from coworkers since early that morning — behavior her coworkers said was unusual for her.
The Investigation
Investigators found the house had been recently cleaned but identified blood inside that tested as belonging to Dent. Returning to the hole McKinnon had been digging, deputies uncovered black garbage bags containing a body bound with tape.
What Happened
Autopsy results confirmed Dent had been struck in the face, though the cause of death was determined to be strangulation. McKinnon's cause of death was confirmed as a serious heart attack, with no signs of trauma to his body. Investigators concluded McKinnon had killed Dent, wrapped her body, transported it to the garden in his truck, and suffered a fatal heart attack while trying to bury her. According to authorities, the couple had no prior reported history of domestic violence at the residence.
FAQ
How did Patricia Dent die?
She was strangled, according to the autopsy, after also being struck in the face.
How did McKinnon die?
He suffered a fatal heart attack while attempting to bury her body.
Was there a known history of violence between the couple?
Authorities said there were no prior domestic violence reports connected to the residence.