Gregory Vincent Rice, a 46-year-old Caucasian male, was last seen leaving his job in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on October 2, 2020. His disappearance prompted concern when he failed to show up for work the following Monday, leading to a missing person report being filed on October 5th. For over a month, law enforcement conducted extensive searches, utilizing bloodhounds and executing search warrants in an effort to locate him.
The search concluded tragically on November 11, 2020, when his body was discovered near Pitts Landing, by the Little Pee Dee River.
The investigation into his death swiftly led to the arrests of two individuals: Meagan Marie Jackson, the mother of Rice's children, and Christopher Allen Dontell, a then-serving Horry County deputy coroner with whom Jackson was romantically involved. Both were charged with murder. Investigators built a case against the pair using a combination of forensic, physical, and digital evidence, which included tracking Rice's cell phone. Witness statements also played a crucial role in piecing together the events that led to his death. Arrest warrants indicated that Dontell and Jackson had conspired with malice aforethought to kill Rice.
The legal proceedings that followed revealed a complex and troubling story. It was established that Jackson and Dontell were having an affair. Evidence presented during the legal process showed that Dontell had purchased items such as a tarp, zip ties, and concrete blocks from a Lowe's, items later found with Rice's body. In a significant development, Christopher Dontell pleaded guilty to conspiracy and accessory after the fact in exchange for his testimony against Meagan Jackson. The murder charge against him was dropped as part of this plea agreement.
During her trial in June 2025, Meagan Jackson was found guilty of the murder of Gregory Vincent Rice and was subsequently sentenced to life in prison. Christopher Dontell also faced sentencing for his role in the crime. He offered a tearful apology in court, expressing regret for his involvement with Jackson. Despite his cooperation, he was sentenced for his conviction on the charges of conspiracy and accessory after the fact.
