In the quiet community of Choppee, South Carolina, the life of 41-year-old Andrene Claudette Stewart was tragically cut short. Her story came to a grim conclusion on February 18, 2023, when her remains were discovered alongside those of 57-year-old Melvin Wise in a shallow grave unearthed by hunters. Both Stewart and Wise, who were visiting from the Bronx, New York, had been reported missing since late 2022 while in the Dunbar community of Georgetown County to see relatives.
The discovery of their bodies launched a double homicide investigation that would slowly unravel the events leading to their untimely deaths.
The Georgetown County Coroner's Office confirmed the identities of the victims, and subsequent autopsies revealed a violent end for both individuals. The cause of death for Andrene Stewart and Melvin Wise was determined to be gunshot wounds, officially classifying their deaths as homicides. This confirmation spurred law enforcement to intensify their search for those responsible, leading to significant breaks in the case in the following months. The investigation painted a dark picture of their final days, far from their New York home.
The first arrests in connection with the double murder came on March 23, 2023. Patricia Wise, 52, and Wilbur Lang, 25, were taken into custody and faced a litany of charges, including accessory to murder after the fact, obstruction of justice, criminal conspiracy, and desecration of human remains. Despite the gravity of the accusations, a judge denied bond for both suspects, ensuring they would remain in custody as the investigation progressed. The community was left to grapple with the disturbing details emerging from the case, as the search for the primary perpetrator continued.
A significant development in the case occurred on November 7, 2023, with the arrest of 32-year-old Lavorn Hakeem Johnson in the Dunbar community. The Georgetown County Sheriff's Office charged Johnson with two counts of murder, two counts of desecration of a corpse, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a violent crime. His arrest marked a pivotal moment in the investigation, bringing a sense of cautious relief to a community shaken by the brutal slayings. Johnson was subsequently held at the Georgetown County Detention Center, awaiting a bond hearing and the long road of legal proceedings to follow.
