In the quiet town of Inman, South Carolina, a tragic story unfolded within the Belcher family, culminating in the deaths of William Edward Belcher, a 69-year-old male, and his wife, Henrietta Green Belcher. The couple was found deceased in their home on November 15, 2016, though investigators determined they had been killed approximately ten days earlier, on November 5, 2016.
Both had been fatally shot.
The investigation into their deaths led to a startling conclusion and the arrest of their son, Stephen Belcher, who was 40 years old at the time. Initially charged with two counts of murder, Stephen later pleaded guilty to the lesser charges of voluntary manslaughter. The case that emerged was not one of a typical violent crime, but a somber narrative of desperation and what was described by the defense as an act of mercy.
During legal proceedings, it was revealed that both William and Henrietta were suffering from severe health issues. Henrietta’s health had significantly declined following a heart attack and multiple strokes, leaving her with limited ability to communicate. William was reportedly struggling with prescription medication and alcohol abuse and had become increasingly despondent. According to Stephen Belcher's defense attorney, his parents had pleaded with him to end their suffering. This claim was supported by Stephen's brother, David Belcher, who testified that his father had repeatedly asked him to shoot both him and his mother. A family friend also corroborated that William had discussed suicide and had asked for assistance in ending his and his wife's lives.
Ten days after the shootings, Stephen's wife, Vonda Belcher, reported the deaths to the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office. Upon arrival, law enforcement found William and Henrietta Belcher in their home, covered with sheets. Autopsies later confirmed that William had been shot three times and Henrietta twice.
In January 2018, Stephen Belcher's case came to a close as he was sentenced to ten years in prison for each count of voluntary manslaughter, with the sentences to be served concurrently. He also received a concurrent five-year sentence for possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. The court heard emotional testimony from family members, including Stephen's sister, who expressed her forgiveness and understanding of the tragic circumstances that led to her parents' deaths. His brother described him as 'guilty of loving my parents to a tragic end.' The prosecutor acknowledged the plea deal was a result of the unique and difficult nature of the case.
