Orangeburg County, SC (WLTX) - The body of a man found in Orangeburg County has been dentified by law enforcement, over three years after he was first discovered.
Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenel says authorities have been able to determine that the deceased man was John Anthony Samuel Spells.
His remains were found by a hunter along Five Chop Road near Orangeburg back on January 28, 2012. The hunter said he found the body underneath some boards at a home.
Deputies were able to determine that the body had been at the location for a long time, but because remains did not have any identification, they weren't sure who the person could be.
Initially, officers released pictures of the victim's jacket and gym shorts in an effort to find leads in the case. In August of 2013, State Law Enforcement Division agents made a reconstruction of his face based on the remains that were discovered.
Officers distributed that information across South Carolina and to neighboring states, and eventually, a relative came forward to ask about Spells. Deputies had a DNA test done on that person to confirm the relationship with Spells, and those tests results came back as a positive match this week.
Deputies say they still don't know how he died, and say he hadn't been reported as missing. He had been living at a home on Triangle Road before his remains were found.
"Three years later, yet this investigation is far from over," Ravenell said. "We're still trying to determine what circumstances brought Mr. Spells to this location."
Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC, or e-mail a tip in to www.midlandscrimestoppers.com. You can also text information in by texting "TIPSC" plus your message to CRIMES (274637). Either way you choose, your identity will remain anonymous, and you could be eligible for a cash reward.
