Body found in Columbia river identified, investigation continues

A body found Tuesday in the Congaree River in Columbia has been identified as Voyd Tribble III, 51, from Pomaria, Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford said.

The body was recovered by officers with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources after sheriff’s deputies responded to the 600 block of Rosewood Drive, close to the Jordan Memorial Boat Ramp on the Columbia side of the Congaree River and roughly a mile from Williams-Brice Stadium.

An autopsy was to be performed to determine the cause of death, but no announcement has been made. The sheriff’s department has sad there was no obvious sign of trauma.

“We will continue working with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources to fully investigate this incident,” Rutherford said in a release.

It’s not clear whether Tribble’s death was a result of Hurricane Helene, though a flood warning was issued for areas along the Congaree River in Columbia.

A total of 41 deaths have been attributed to the storm so far in South Carolina.

This story was originally published October 4, 2024 at 10:06 AM.

Jordan Lawrence

The State

Jordan Lawrence serves as metro editor for The State. He has worked for newspapers in the Columbia area for more than a decade, having previously served as the lead editor for Free Times and the Lexington County Chronicle. He has won several South Carolina Press Association Awards, including recognition for breaking news reporting, business reporting and arts and entertainment writing. Support my work with a digital subscription