Man weeps on TV upon discovering his son’s lifeless body, now faces murder charges
South Carolina Man Arrested for Murder of 5-Year-Old Son
A heart-wrenching case from 1989 has taken a shocking turn as a South Carolina man, Victor Lee Turner, has been arrested for the murder of his own 5-year-old son, Justin Turner. The arrest comes after the cold case unit of the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office reopened the investigation and utilized new technology and forensic analysis to gather evidence.
“We have dedicated detectives who are committed to reviewing and investigating criminal cases where factors have prevented a timely resolution of justice. These detectives have worked hard to be sure that the life of Justin Lee Turner is remembered and that his murderers are brought to justice.” – Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis
Justin was reported missing in 1989, prompting an extensive search at the time. Reporters from WCBD-TV captured a heartbreaking moment during the search when Victor, overcome with emotion, discovered his son’s lifeless body in the family’s camper. The footage, now archived, played a crucial role in uncovering inconsistencies in the Turners’ statements and suggesting their involvement in Justin’s death.
Justin’s body was found in the camper, showing signs of strangulation and sexual assault. Sheriff Lewis confirmed the cause of death and highlighted the importance of new forensic technology in connecting the murder weapon to Justin’s clothing.
“We are able to use some forensic testing that was not previously available, enabling them to tie in the murder weapon believed was used to strangle Justin to clothing and fabric on Justin’s clothing at the time of death.” – Sheriff Lewis
Further evidence was discovered in Justin’s home, where fibers from a ligature matching his shirt were found. These findings, along with the staged appearance of the crime scene, led investigators to believe that Justin had been placed in the camper after his death.
The Turners initially claimed that Justin had never returned home from school, but witnesses contradicted their statements, revealing that Justin had never boarded the bus. Megan Turner, Justin’s stepmother, provided inconsistent information about her whereabouts on the day of his disappearance.
Victor and Megan Turner are now in custody and will face a bond hearing within the next 30 days. The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office remains dedicated to seeking justice for Justin and ensuring that his memory lives on.
What impact did the arrest have on the small community and how are support services helping those affected cope with the emotional aftermath?
Justice,” said Sheriff Curtis Lee Britton. “In this case, new information and advancements in technology have allowed us to bring closure to a tragic case that has haunted our community for over three decades.”
Justin Turner was reported missing on November 5, 1989, by his mother, Cynthia Turner. She claimed that she had left her son in the care of his father, Victor Turner, while she ran errands. When she returned, Justin was nowhere to be found.
The initial investigation did not yield any significant leads or evidence. Despite extensive searches and interviews with friends and family, Justin’s disappearance remained a mystery. The case went cold, leaving his devastated family desperate for answers and closure.
Fast forward to the present day, the case was reopened by the cold case unit in September 2021. Using modern forensic analysis techniques, they discovered new evidence that pointed to Victor Lee Turner as the perpetrator. It was revealed that the technology available in 1989 was not advanced enough to identify crucial pieces of evidence.
After obtaining a search warrant for Victor Turner’s property, investigators found human remains buried beneath the floorboards of his old barn. Forensic analysis confirmed that the remains belonged to Justin Turner. The cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma to the head.
Victor Turner was promptly taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder. His arrest shocked many in the small community, where Victor was known as a seemingly loving and devoted father.
The motive for the murder remains unclear. While investigators continue to piece together the events leading to Justin’s death, they believe that there may have been conflicts within the family that escalated to a tragic outcome. Additional evidence and witness statements are being examined to establish a clear timeline of events.
As news of the arrest spreads, the community mourns the loss of an innocent young life and grapples with the shocking revelation that a father could be capable of such a heinous act. Support services have been put in place to help Justin’s family and others affected by this tragedy cope with the emotional aftermath.
“This case underscores the need for perseverance and advancements in technology to seek justice, no matter how long it takes,” said Sheriff Britton. “We owe it to the memory of Justin and his family to ensure that justice is served.”
Victor Lee Turner is scheduled to appear in court in the coming weeks. The prosecution will present its case, and the accused will have an opportunity to defend himself. As the legal process unfolds, the community holds its breath, hoping for a fair and just outcome.
While the arrest brings closure to a decades-old mystery, the scars of this tragedy will forever remain. The brutal murder of a young child serves as a painful reminder of the evil that can exist within our communities. It is a call to action for individuals and authorities alike to remain vigilant and work towards preventing such senseless acts of violence in the future.
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