The body of 18-year-old MyAngel Walker, a South Carolina teen with dreams of becoming a nurse, was tragically discovered in a burned car near McKenzie Road in Greenwood County on Dec.13, just one day after she was reported missing.
Authorities have since arrested two individuals in connection with her death.
Walker was last seen on Dec. 11 in Clinton, South Carolina. When she failed to show up for work the next day, her family reported her missing to the Laurens Police Department.
As the investigation unfolded, Laurens Police Chief Heath Copeland revealed:
“It became apparent during the night that we were looking for something a little more than just somebody missing.”
The following day, Walker’s body was found in a charred vehicle towed from a wooded area. Authorities confirmed she had suffered a gunshot wound.
Police identified 19-year-old Malachi Pressley, Walker’s on-and-off boyfriend, as the alleged shooter. He has been charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
Another 19-year-old, Taylor Kinard, was arrested and charged as an accessory after the fact.
According to Clinton Police Chief Michael Addison, Kinard “had knowledge of it and she helped” dispose of Walker’s body. Both suspects were denied bail during a December 14 hearing.
Walker’s family is left reeling from the loss. Her mother, Sade Woodruff, described her as “an amazing person, a leader,” adding:
“We lost a big part of our family.”
She urged others to remain vigilant about their surroundings and seek help if they experience any signs of domestic issues.
Chief Copeland called Walker a “bright young lady with a very good heart” and acknowledged the swift arrests as a step toward justice, though the tragedy has left a deep void for her family.
Walker, a recent high school graduate, had ambitions of becoming a nurse.
Her untimely death underscores the devastating impact of domestic violence and has left her community mourning the loss of a promising life.
