Deputies responded to suspected suicide but now search for a killer, SC cops say

What was originally believed to be a suicide is now a homicide investigation, following the death of a South Carolina man, according to the Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office.

Over the weekend, the body of 56-year-old Manning resident Homero Zunan Gonzalez was found in his Clarendon County home, the sheriff’s office said in a news release.

At about 11:45 p.m. Saturday, deputies responded to a call about what was believed to be a suicide at a Tara Lane home, according to the release. That’s close to the Lake Marion shoreline.

At the home deputies located Gonzalez’s body, and it was determined the man who had been shot in the upper body had injuries that did not appear to be self-inflicted, the sheriff’s office said.

Information about who reported the death to law enforcement, and why it was initially believed to be a suicide, was not available.

No other injuries were reported in what the sheriff’s office called an isolated incident.

Deputies and members of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division processed the home for evidence, according to the release.

Gonzalez’s death continues to be investigated by the sheriff’s office, which is asking the public for information. Deputies are looking for anyone who has seen suspicious activity in the area, observed people or vehicles near Tara Lane and those who have surveillance, doorbell or dash camera footage.

Anyone who fits those descriptions, or who has information about the deadly shooting, is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 803-435-4414, or to leave a tip at 803-433-8477.

Noah Feit

The State

803-771-8435

Noah Feit is a Real Time reporter with The State focused on breaking news, public safety and trending news. The award-winning journalist has worked for multiple newspapers since starting his career in 1999. Support my work with a digital subscription