On the evening of February 3, 2017, in Darlington, South Carolina, the life of 47-year-old Robert Earl Benson, a White/Caucasian male, was tragically cut short. Deputies were called to a residence on Sugar Creek Circle, off Turnpike Road, around 8:45 p.m., where they discovered Mr. Benson's body. The cause of his death was a shooting.
Living with Benson at the time was 53-year-old Mary Denise Poston. Their relationship was described by those who knew them as toxic.
In the immediate aftermath of the discovery of Benson's body, Poston was taken into custody by the Darlington County Sheriff's deputies at the scene. The investigation that followed involved the assistance of SLED Forensics Investigators. A veil of mystery surrounded the incident, as neighbors reported not hearing any gunshots before law enforcement arrived.
Mary Denise Poston was subsequently charged with the murder of Robert Benson and possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime. In the initial court proceedings, she was denied bond, and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for the following month. The case highlighted the devastating consequences of domestic turmoil and left the local community in shock.
