On a June day in 2017, the quiet of Sam Jones Road in Chesterfield, South Carolina, was broken by the discovery of a local man's body in his own front yard. Freddie Lee Herman Jr., a 33-year-old male, had been shot and killed. Neighbors reported hearing an argument followed by gunshots in the late hours of the night or early morning of June 15th. An autopsy would later confirm that Herman died from two shotgun wounds inflicted at close range.
The discovery of his body marked the beginning of a homicide investigation that would soon reveal the unusual and hazardous environment in which Herman lived.
When Chesterfield County Sheriff's deputies entered Herman's residence, they were met with a shocking and dangerous scene that temporarily impeded their investigation. The home was filled with a multitude of exotic animals, many of them venomous and living in poor conditions. A sign on the door even warned of venomous snakes inside. Among the creatures discovered were rattlesnakes, copperheads, a cobra, pythons, snapping turtles, and about 30 box turtles. In addition to the reptiles, authorities found malnourished pit bulls, wild hogs, and chickens. It took investigators and animal rescue groups over 12 hours to safely clear the home, with many of the animals appearing sickly and requiring immediate care. Authorities suspected Herman may have been illegally capturing and selling some of these animals.
The investigation into Herman’s death quickly led to two suspects. Authorities determined that an argument between Herman, 23-year-old Thomas Craig Overstreet, and 18-year-old Michela Viteritto had escalated with tragic consequences. Investigators alleged that during the dispute, Overstreet shot Herman. Both Overstreet and Viteritto were arrested shortly after the incident. They were both charged with murder and the use of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime. Following their arrests, they were held at the Chesterfield County Detention Center to await a bond hearing.
