Person of interest wanted after mother of five’s body found on Midlands road, cops say
The death of a 32-year-old woman, and mother of five, is under investigation after her body was recently found on a Midlands road, officials said. In a development Tuesday, a man was identified as a person of interest, according to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
Rose Marie Driggers’ death was called suspicious by the sheriff’s office.
The Sumter woman’s body was found on Frierson Road, near Shawside Drive, on Sept. 19, the sheriff’s office said in a news release. That’s in the Dalzell area, near Shaw Air Force Base.
Investigators don’t think Driggers died where her body was discovered, according to the release. There was no word about what led deputies to that conclusion, or where Driggers might have been before she died.
Sumter County Coroner Robbie Baker said preliminary results of an autopsy did not show any signs of trauma, according to the release.
No cause of death was released by the coroner’s office, and final autopsy results are pending.
The sheriff’s office said Leon Jackson was identified as a person of interest in connection to Driggers’ death. The 51-year-old is wanted for questioning, according to the sheriff’s office.
The sheriff’s office described Jackson as a 5-foot-8, 160-pound bald man with brown eyes.
Information about Jackson’s connection to Driggers was not available, and there was no word if the two were previously acquainted.
No arrests have been reported by the sheriff’s office.
Sheriff Anthony Dennis said Driggers’ death is an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to the community.
Visitation and a service were held for Driggers Sunday at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home.
She is survived by her husband, parents, and five children among other family members, according to her obituary.
Anyone with information about Driggers’ death, or who has seen Jackson or knows where he’s located is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 803-436-2000, or CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC or submit an online tip.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
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This story was originally published September 28, 2021 at 2:00 PM.
