In the quiet town of Eutawville, South Carolina, a beloved 66-year-old Black female, Jean Ann Jefferson Brown, was found dead on June 15, 2022, in what would unfold as a grim double homicide. Known for her dedication to her church and various local programs, her sudden and violent death sent ripples of shock and grief through the community.
On that fateful day, deputies from the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office were called to a home on Wesgar Avenue after family members reported Jean
Ann and her cousin, 62-year-old Raymond Brown, missing. They had last been seen that morning after a doctor's appointment with a one-year-old child in their care. Upon arrival, a key was found in the front door, leading to the discovery of Jean Ann's body near the entryway. Further investigation revealed Raymond Brown's body nearby. Both had been shot and killed.
The initial horror of the scene was compounded by the fact that the one-year-old child who had been with them was now missing. This sparked an urgent search that extended beyond the immediate area. Investigators were able to gather information that pointed towards Antonio Smalls, a 46-year-old man from Moncks Corner, as a person of interest. The search for Smalls led authorities to North Charleston, where they located one of the victims' cars.
Following the discovery of the vehicle, Smalls was located and arrested. The missing toddler was found unharmed but abandoned inside a car in the extreme heat at a gas station in St. George. The child was safely reunited with family members.
Antonio Smalls was charged with two counts of murder, two counts of possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and one count of kidnapping. According to arrest warrants, Smalls confessed to the killings and the kidnapping. The motive for this senseless act, as described by the Orangeburg County Sheriff, has not been publicly disclosed, nor has the relationship between Smalls and the victims or the child. The legal proceedings against Antonio Smalls are ongoing.
