Man suspected of killing missing woman charged, Columbia police say
A man accused of killing a woman who was reported missing, faces state and federal charges, according to the Columbia Police Department.
Early Thursday afternoon, 55-year-old Anthony Reese was charged with murder, unauthorized removal of a dead body, possession of a weapon during a violent crime and possession of a stolen pistol in connection with the death of Angela Fuller, Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook said during a news conference.
Fuller was found dead Sept. 11 in a wooded area at the 100 block of Shakespeare Lane in Dentsville after being reported missing by a loved one who had not seen or heard from her since Aug. 29, according to police. Fuller was last seen in the 3000 block of North Beltline Boulevard, police said.
Holbrook said that although this wasn’t the outcome hoped for, he’s glad that justice will be served for Fuller and her family, who were present during the news conference Thursday.
“The family has been very vocal on social media and I know they’ve gained strength throughout this process,” Holbrook said.
Members of Fuller’s family did not speak at the news conference.
Reese, who was quickly labeled a person of interest in Fuller’s disappearance, was apprehended Aug. 31 after a “be on the lookout” for his vehicle had been issued, Holbrook said.
A Columbia police officer spotted Reese’s car around Broad River Road and attempted to initiate a traffic stop before Reese fled. A long high-speed pursuit traversed from Richland County into Lexington County, where Reese crashed and was apprehended.
Following the pursuit, Holbrook said police found a firearm inside of Reese’s vehicle that was later determined to the gun that killed Fuller. He was charged with failure to stop for blue lights, use of a license plate on a vehicle other than the one issued and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Reese, who has a long criminal history, including assault, burglary, criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, unlawful possession of a pistol and resisting arrest, was also charged with a federal weapons violation Wednesday, Holbrook said.
Fuller, who was in a romantic relationship with Reese, was fatally shot in the upper body, according to the Richland County Coroner’s Office, Holbrook said.
Police are still uncertain of motive.
Reese was booked, and remains, at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, Holbrook said.
This story was originally published September 18, 2025 at 5:05 PM.
