A well-known 31-year-old male hairdresser and content creator from Augusta, Georgia, Demon A. Parrish, was found deceased on February 17, 2024, after a month-long search that captured widespread attention. A property owner discovered his remains in a wooded area off Silver Bluff Road near Atomic Road in Aiken County, South Carolina, at approximately 6:05 p.m.
An autopsy later confirmed that Parrish had died from a gunshot wound, and his death was officially ruled a homicide, bringing a tragic end to a search that began when he was reported missing on January 10, 2024.
The investigation into his disappearance gained momentum after his mother tracked his iPhone to an Augusta University parking lot on January 9th, the last day he was active on social media or seen in the Mill Street area of Augusta. In that same parking lot, which was behind the residence of 21-year-old Caleb Jamar White, authorities located Parrish's white 2020 Kia Optima. A search of the vehicle uncovered grim evidence: large amounts of blood covered the floorboard and a black comforter, and a bullet hole was found in the rear driver's side seat. Security camera footage from a nearby church showed White driving Parrish's car on multiple occasions between January 9th and 10th.
Further investigation, based on warrants, revealed that Parrish and White had been communicating through a texting application and had arranged to meet on January 9th. Police believe that on this day, White shot Parrish with a handgun, killing him. A witness later told police that White had arrived at his home in Columbia, South Carolina, on January 10th, acting strangely and smashing an iPhone. When the witness later inquired about Parrish's disappearance after seeing news reports, White reportedly became evasive and left.
Based on the evidence gathered, authorities issued a murder warrant for Caleb White on February 20th. He was already wanted on a felony warrant for theft by receiving stolen property in connection with Parrish's vehicle. On February 27, 2024, law enforcement, including the Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force, located White at the Plaza Place Apartments in North Augusta. After a brief standoff lasting about an hour, negotiators successfully persuaded White and a female companion to exit the apartment peacefully. White was taken into custody and transported to the Aiken County Detention Center to face charges of murder for the death of Demon Parrish.
