Kelli Kaughman Whitten, Anissa Kelley Henderson Death – The Greenville County Coroner’s Office has identified two women involved in a homicide investigation following a house fire. The women have been identified as Kelli Kaughman Whitten, 56, of Anderson, and Anissa Kelley Henderson, 55, of Greenville. Both Whitten and Henderson were found with traumatic head and thermal injuries, according to the coroner. An autopsy will be conducted on Thursday to determine the cause of death, pending further testing.
Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis and Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright made the announcement of the deaths on Wednesday at around 10:30 p.m. The incident occurred on Kirby Street in Landrum, with the shooting taking place shortly before 7 p.m.
Authorities from the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation into a fatal house fire on Millbrooke Circle in Greenville. During the investigation, two deceased women were discovered inside the residence. The person of interest in the house fire was identified, and efforts were made to locate him.
Prior to the shooting, the person’s vehicle tag was captured by a license plate reader, leading investigators to trace it back to a residence on Kirby Street.
According to Lt. Kevin Bobo of the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, after multiple attempts to communicate with the person of interest, he emerged from his home and brandished a firearm, resulting in an officer-involved shooting.
Fortunately, no officers were injured during the incident. Six deputies from Greenville and Spartanburg counties discharged their weapons, ultimately killing the person of interest outside the residence.
A resident of Kirby Street, Crystal Montanez, recounted hearing the gunshots. She described the experience as alarming, as it was unusual to have such a close encounter with violence in their neighborhood.
Sheriffs Wright and Lewis revealed that the person of interest had recently been released from jail on bond. They have expressed their commitment to ensuring the safety of the community and seeking justice in this case.