In the early morning hours of April 29, 2023, the body of 28-year-old Diequan Underwood was discovered alongside Highway 261 near Yorkridge Drive in Wedgefield, South Carolina. Authorities from the Sumter County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene at approximately 7 a.m. and determined that Underwood had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. His death was quickly ruled a homicide, marking the first such case in the county's jurisdiction for that year.
Investigators began the arduous
task of piecing together the events that led to Underwood's death. Sheriff Anthony Dennis stated that it was believed Underwood had been killed late the previous night and that his body was left on the roadside. The sheriff's office pledged to dedicate all available resources to identify and bring to justice those responsible for what they described as a blatant disregard for human life. While the investigation was in its early stages, details about a potential motive or suspects were not immediately available.
Months later, in October 2023, the Sumter County Sheriff's Office announced a development in the case, naming Aaron James Thompson as a person of interest. Authorities released information to the public suggesting that Thompson might be in the Columbia area and sought assistance in locating him. As of that announcement, no arrests had been made in connection with the murder of Diequan Underwood. The investigation remains ongoing as law enforcement continues to seek answers for his family and the community.
