On a Wednesday morning in Beaufort, South Carolina, the community of Lady's Island was shaken by a grim discovery. The body of 33-year-old Joshua Tyrone Daise, a Black/African American male, was found on September 20, 2017, near the Masonic Lodge on Chowan Creek Bluff Road. A passerby first spotted him and alerted law enforcement. When investigators from the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office arrived, they determined that Daise had been shot twice.
Known affectionately as 'Josh,' Daise was
a resident of nearby St. Helena Island. He was a graduate of Beaufort High School and had served in the United States Marine Corps. Those who knew him remembered his infectious smile and musical talents. The investigation into his death began immediately, with the Beaufort County Coroner scheduling an autopsy to be performed at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.
Investigators quickly sought the public's help, releasing information about a vehicle they believed Daise was last seen in. The car, a gold 2006 Chrysler 300 with South Carolina license plate NJV890, did not belong to him but had been borrowed. This vehicle was later found abandoned on St. Helena Island, though authorities did not disclose the exact location to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
Despite the efforts of the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office, the case grew cold. In the years that have passed since Joshua Daise's death, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified in connection with his murder. The lack of resolution has left his family, including his three daughters, and the wider community searching for answers and justice. The case remains open, with law enforcement continuing to urge anyone with information to come forward.
