COLUMBIA, S.C. — Columbia police say they have found a body of a man at the massive rock quarry off Bluff Road during the search for a missing University of South Carolina student.
Multiple police officers and cars responded Monday to Vulcan Materials Company, which is on Georgia Street.
Deputy Chief Melron Kelly with the Columbia Police Department said a SLED helicopter flew over the quarry Monday morning at the request of CPD. The body was discovered while flying about 200 feet above the ground.
Officers said they searched on foot to confirm what they saw and found the person, who they'll only describe as a white male.
The discovery came as police were searching for 22-year-old Michael Keen, a student from the University of South Carolina. Police have not confirmed if this discovery is in any way related to that investigation. However, that man had been reported missing in an area less than a mile from the quarry.
Two people were found dead at this same rock quarry last year. Last year, a man died in a workplace related accident at the site. And in October of 2020, a University of South Carolina student was found dead after he hopped a fence at that location and fell, suffering an injury that killed him.
Anyone with information that would help in these cases should call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.