A kind and helpful woman who had lived in her Florence, South Carolina, community for more than three decades, Lorestine Dubose Hunter was remembered by those who knew her as a sweet person who was always willing to help others. The 75-year-old female had worked for several years at HealthSouth, where a former colleague recalled her as being consistently sweet and helpful to everyone.
Neighbors in her community on Sharon Road, where she had resided for over 30 years, described her as a nice person. Those who knew her said she deeply adored her grandson.
Concern grew on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, when Lorestine failed to show up for work. Her family members and co-workers, unable to reach her, asked the Florence County Sheriff’s Office to conduct a welfare check at her home in the 1600 block of Sharon Road. Deputies arrived at the residence late that afternoon and made a devastating discovery. Inside, they found Lorestine deceased from what the county coroner would later confirm were gunshot wounds. An autopsy was scheduled at the Medical University of South Carolina.
The investigation into the homicide quickly focused on a member of her own family. Investigators with the Florence County Sheriff's Office alleged that on or around September 22, Lorestine’s 21-year-old grandson, Isaiah Alexander Hunter, had forced his way into her home and shot her. Following the shooting, authorities stated that Isaiah used his grandmother's car and her Cash App account, transferring approximately $3,500 to himself. On Thursday, September 24, the sheriff's office announced they had issued seven warrants for his arrest.
For five days, Isaiah Hunter remained at large. The search came to a dramatic end on Monday, September 28. A woman spotted Lorestine’s stolen car back in the Sharon Road area and immediately called the sheriff's department. When deputies located the vehicle, Isaiah led them on a high-speed pursuit northbound on Interstate 95. The chase crossed into Dillon County, ending when deputies disabled the car near mile marker 190, just short of the North Carolina state line. Isaiah fled on foot but was quickly apprehended by a sheriff's office K-9 unit.
Isaiah Hunter was taken into custody and transported to the Florence County Detention Center. He was charged with murder, first-degree burglary, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, grand larceny, financial identity fraud, financial transaction card theft, and later, reckless driving in connection with the chase. During his bond hearing on September 29, Isaiah, who limped into the courtroom, appeared disengaged and at times looked at the ceiling. When given the chance to speak, he did not address the charges but said, "I'm a pretty straightforward guy. Child of God." Lorestine's family was present in the courtroom but did not issue a statement. A judge denied bond, and he remained in custody.
A funeral service to celebrate the life of Lorestine Dubose Hunter was held on Friday, October 2, 2026, at Shiloh United Methodist Church in nearby Darlington. As of late September 2026, the case against her grandson was just beginning its journey through the court system.
