Orangeburg County deputies charge man with murder after missing woman found dead near Holly Hill

Orangeburg County deputies have charged a man with murder after the body of a woman who was reported missing by her family members was located in a local waterway.

Sheriff Leroy Ravenell said 45-year-old Harold Pratt has been charged with murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime in connection with the investigation.

Ravenell said 38-year-old Loretta Bunch was reported missing by family members on Sunday after she was last seen late Christmas Day. After developing leads, Ravenell said Bunch’s body was located five miles south of Holly Hill and off of Highway 453.

Ravenell said investigators believe that Bunch was shot to death but an autopsy will be conducted to determine her exact cause of death.

Prior to Bunch’s discovery, Ravenell said investigators were questioning Pratt, who had allegedly been involved with some sort of dispute with Bunch prior to her disappearance.

Pratt appeared in court Tuesday and was told he would have to appear before a circuit court judge at a later date for any bond consideration, Ravenell said.

This story was originally published December 29, 2015 at 9:22 AM.