In the late winter of 2018, the community of Union, South Carolina, was unsettled by the death of Kimberly Riddle Bailey. A 41-year-old White female, Bailey was found deceased in her Glendale Road home on March 27, 2018. While initial reports may have suggested a shooting incident, the investigation into her death concluded that she had died by suicide.
At the scene, investigators discovered a multi-page suicide note, the contents of which have not been publicly disclosed but were described as significant.
At the time of her death, Bailey was the focus of an investigation by the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division into the alleged embezzlement of public funds from the Union County Sheriff's Office, where she was an employee. Sources close to the investigation suggested that her suicide occurred as the SLED inquiry was reaching a critical point. The circumstances surrounding her death and the ongoing financial investigation brought increased scrutiny to the sheriff's office.
Due to the nature of the case, particularly the fact that Bailey's husband was a former investigator with the City of Union's public safety department, SLED was called in to handle the investigation into her death. Following her passing, the Union County sheriff held an emergency meeting with his staff, although the specifics of what was discussed were not made public. As her death was determined to be a suicide, there were no arrests made or suspects sought in connection with the case. The investigation into the alleged embezzlement continued after her death.
