SC restaurant owner found dead inside business, propane odor detected
An Aiken restaurant owner was found dead inside of his business on Sept. 19.
Aiken County Coroner Darryl Ables said in a release that his office was called to The Variety restaurant in the 900 block of York Street NE in Aiken at about 4 p.m. Friday after owner Jimmy D. Varos, 78, was found dead inside.
Officers from the Aiken Department of Public Safety had gone to the restaurant to check on Varos at the request of a family member, the coroner’s office said. Officers found Varos’ body in a portion of the restaurant that had been converted to living quarters.
“A strong odor of propane gas was inside the facility,” the coroner’s office release noted.
An autopsy was performed Monday, which determined Varos died of natural causes, the coroner’s office said Tuesday in a news release. Further information about the cause of death was not available.
An investigation into Varos’ death will remain active pending toxicology results, according to the coroner’s office.
The Variety restaurant is closed until further notice, per a Saturday message on the restaurant’s Facebook page.
“To our valued customers and friends, it is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jimmy Varos ‘Jimmy the Greek’ he truly was a legend,” the restaurant posted on social media. “Providing the best food and friendship over the last 40 years. He will be greatly missed and forever in our hearts. As of now The Variety is closed until further notice. We appreciate your business and will now ask for prayers for his family to help with this difficult time.”
This story was originally published September 21, 2025 at 7:46 AM.
