2 men arrested in the death of Chester "Rock" Stavis, who was found dead in Sumter waterway in 2018

The death of Chester "Rock" Stavis, whose body was found in a waterway in November 2018, is being called a robbery gone bad after two men were charged in his killing, according to city authorities.

Parrish Raquan Pollard, 21, of Dinkins Mill Road in Rembert, and 34-year-old Madison Jared Scriven, of One Mile Road in Gable, were taken into custody early Thursday morning and charged with murder, armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery, according to Tonyia McGirt, Sumter Police Department public information officer.

Stavis' body was found Nov. 21, 2018, the day before Thanksgiving, in a waterway near Dicks and Rast streets after he had been reported missing days earlier by family members. An autopsy on Nov. 26, 2018, determined he died of an apparent gunshot wound to the chest and that his death was ruled a homicide, according to Sumter County Coroner Robbie Baker.

Stavis was reported missing on Nov. 19, 2018, after his family had not heard from him since he left his home on Albert Spears Drive on Nov. 15. His body was found more than 4 miles from his home.

McGirt said tips received through Crime Stoppers helped police identify Pollard and Scriven in the investigation.

Pollard has also been charged with possession of a weapon during a violent crime, she said.

Both men are being held at Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center, and an investigation is continuing.