Woman killed at North Columbia motel, police investigating

Columbia police are investigating a killing at a North Columbia motel.

On Tuesday, a 34-year-old woman was found dead in a room at the InTown Suites, 1633 Broad River Road, according to the Columbia Police Department. Her body was discovered by motel employees, who called police around 1:30 p.m.

The victim was identified as Melissa F. Keith, who died of “complications of blood loss due to sharp instrument wounds,” according to a news release from the police department.

Police are investigating the death as a homicide.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC or submit an anonymous tip online at www.midlandscrimestoppers.com.

This story was originally published February 19, 2020 at 4:54 PM.

Sarah Ellis Owen

The State

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Sarah Ellis Owen is an editor and reporter who covers Columbia and Richland County. A graduate of the University of South Carolina, she has made South Carolina’s capital her home for the past decade. Since 2014, her work at The State has earned multiple awards from the S.C. Press Association, including top honors for short story writing and enterprise reporting. Support my work with a digital subscription