2 charged with murder in killing of missing 20-year-old SC man, deputies say

Two men have been charged with murder in the death of a 20-year-old man who was reported missing earlier this month, according to the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office.

Derrick Jai Curry, 20, was reported missing two weeks ago, on May 1, according to the sheriff’s office. In the pre-dawn hours Monday, deputies along with SLED agents and Aiken police executed search warrants at two Aiken home as part of the investigation into Curry’s disappearance.

“Evidence and supporting information led investigators to a home in Aiken where Curry was alleged to have been shot and killed,” Capt. Eric Abdullah said in the release. “As the investigation continues, investigators are still working towards finding Curry’s remains.”

At a home on Green Street in New Ellenton Monday morning, 18-year-old Denzell Deshawn Jackson was arrested and charged with murder, Abdullah said. The second suspect, 20-year-old Rakeem Dixon, was not at his home on Keen Avenue Monday.

Dixon surrendered Monday afternoon at the Aiken County Detention Center, Abdullah said.

Details about what led investigators to believe Curry had been shot and killed were not made available, but Abdullah said “recent developments” led to investigators obtaining murder warrants.

This story was originally published May 13, 2019 at 12:46 PM.