Clarendon County Sheriff's Office investigating deaths of 2 men, 1 with 'what appeared to be a gunshot wound to back of his head'

CLARENDON COUNTY – The deaths of two men whose bodies were found in Clarendon County during the weekend are being investigated by Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Clarendon County Coroner’s Office and Orangeburg Sheriff’s Office.

Information on whether the two deaths are connected has not been released.

At 7:42 a.m. Sunday, April 13, Clarendon County deputies responded to West Summerton in reference to a male found unresponsive lying in a ditch near Washington and Louis streets. On arrival, deputies reported that the male had “what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the back of his head.”

The male was identified as 32-year-old John Edward Rhames III of Summerton. Clarendon County Sheriff Tim Baxley said that Rhames’ death is being investigated as a homicide.

Shortly after 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 14, CCSO deputies responded to a dirt road in the Home Branch Community between Manning and Paxville after a person walking along the road reported seeing “what they thought to be a body in the woods off the roadway.”

Investigators with CCSO and SLED’s Crime Scene responded to the area. During the investigation, officers identified the body as 25-year-old Tyrese Najae Lawson of the Summerton area.

Investigators contacted Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office because that office was working on a missing person case involving Lawson, who was reported missing and last seen in the Santee area of Orangeburg County on April 10.

Clarendon County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene and later met with Lawson’s family. Clarendon County Coroner Jacqueline Blackwell said an autopsy had been scheduled for Friday, April 18, at Medical University of South Carolina to determine Lawson’s cause of death.

Investigations into both deaths are ongoing. Anyone with information on either or both deaths is asked to call  Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office at (803) 435-4414 or CCSO’s Tip Line at (803) 433-8477. Callers may remain anonymous.

Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office is also searching for Lawson’s black 2010 Nissan Altima, bearing S.C. tag number WPP-671. Anyone who knows where this vehicle is located or anyone who has seen this vehicle recently is asked to call the CCSO at (803) 435-4414 or the CCSO’s Tip Line at (803) 433-8477. Callers may remain anonymous.