A suspect has finally been named after a community was left befuddled and police in search for clues after a South Carolina woman was found dead on the side of a road earlier this year.
Twenty-seven-year-old Shardae Monique Whitehurst was found in the early morning hours of Jan. 28 on Fairforest Road, according to Maj. Art Littlejohn with the Spartanburg Police Department. At the time, investigators were unable to trace any suspects.
But on Tuesday, police found Tanya Michelle Miller to be linked to the victim’s death. She has been charged with obstructing Justice, unauthorized removal of a dead body, giving false information to law enforcement and desecration/removal of human remains, Littlejohn said.
According to police records, Miller removed Whitehurst’s body across county lines from Spartanburg County to North Carolina, then returned the body to Spartanburg County.
“Warrants said she told police she was unaware that Whitehurst had died and failed to tell the Whitehurst died in her home,” a WYFF 4 report reads. “Miller is said to have allowed Whitehurst’s body to decompose and inflicted trauma to the body when disposing of it, according to warrants.”
All charges were made based on a widespread investigation.
“Whitehurst leaves behind parents who are desperately seeking answers in their daughter’s untimely death,” Littlejohn said.
While the suspect has been charged, no one has yet to be named in killing Whitehurst. Detectives are still investigating.
In June, authorities said White was last seen alive on Jan 19. She had just ended a shift working at a local McDonald’s and was being dropped off at home.
Police is asking anyone with information to come forward. They are particularly interested in knowing who was with Whitehurst between Jan.19 and Jan. 28.
If you or someone you know has any information leading to an arrest, please contact Investigator C. Ryant at 864-612-0880 or Crime Stoppers 888-CRIME-SC.
This story is developing.
