In the quiet community of Saint Stephen, South Carolina, the life of 18-year-old Juan Milford Jr. was tragically cut short. On the morning of Thursday, February 9, 2023, a passerby made a grim discovery along Highway 52, near the Williamsburg County line. The body of a young man, later identified as Juan, known affectionately as 'JJ' to his friends and family, was found, leaving a wave of shock and sorrow in his wake.
The Berkeley County Coroner's Office was called to the scene, and their investigation would soon confirm the devastating news that his death was not an accident but a homicide.
Juan Milford Jr., a Black male, was a familiar and friendly face in his community. He had attended schools in the Berkeley County School System and was known for his strong work ethic, having been employed at local establishments such as Zaxby's, Hardee's, and Walmart. He was a young man with a passion for life, an avid fan of the Denver Broncos who also enjoyed the simple pleasures of playing basketball and listening to music. Above all, he cherished the time he spent with his loving family. He was a member of the Lighthouse Holiness Church, and his untimely death left a void in the hearts of his parents, siblings, and grandparents who had raised him.
In the days following the discovery of Juan's body, the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office launched an intensive investigation into his death. Their efforts to piece together the events that led to the tragedy culminated in an arrest a week later. On February 15, 2023, investigators took 20-year-old Jermayne Jequan Wigfall into custody. Wigfall was subsequently charged with the murder of Juan Milford Jr., bringing a small measure of solace to a grieving family and community, though the legal proceedings to follow would continue to unfold.
