COLUMBIA, S.C. — The man accused of shooting and killing three of his family members in South Carolina, including two in Columbia, made his first court appearance Wednesday.
Matthew Allen Dewitt, 25, went before a bond court judge at the Horry County Detention Center. The judge informed Dewitt that by law he couldn't set bond on the murder charge and told him he must remain in jail until a circuit court hearing can be held.
Richland County deputies say Dewitt is accused of killing James Dewitt II and Gloria Dewitt, both 52, at the couple's home on Greensprings Drive in northeast Richland County. An incident report from the Richland County
The husband and wife were found after someone called officers Sunday night worried about the couple's safety. An incident report states that the person had said they hadn't heard from the couple all day which was unusual.
At 4:40 p.m. that same day in Horry County, police there responded to a home in the 4000 block block of Highway 319 for a report of a shooting. Officers say 52-year-old Natasha Stevens of Conway was found dead inside of gunshot wounds.
An arrest warrant from Horry County states Matthew Dewitt shot Stevens multiple times on Sunday.
The Dewitts and Stevens were all related. James Dewitt owned a Columbia business and was also a member of the Atlantic Beach, SC City Council.
Officers have not yet said what they think led up to the killings or a possible motivation in the incident. Deputies say the investigations remain active and ongoing.
A background check from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division showed Matthew Dewitt had not prior arrests in the state.