Steve Crawford Whitmire Obituary and Death: A Tragic Homicide Investigation in Pickens County
The Pickens County Coroner’s Office has identified human remains discovered over the weekend in a rural part of South Carolina as belonging to Steve Crawford Whitmire, a 68-year-old resident of Liberty. Whitmire’s body parts were found Sunday evening near the 500 block of Massingill Memorial Drive in Pickens, a heavily wooded, rural area about 30 feet off the road. An autopsy conducted on Monday confirmed Whitmire’s identity and established that the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head.
Connection to Recent Police Incident
Authorities have connected Whitmire’s death to a recent police incident involving a man who was engaged in a police chase. On the early morning of May 15, the Central Police Department received a report about suspicious activity—a vehicle and person spotted near an abandoned home on the 200 block of Aiken Street. Officers responding to the scene discovered evidence indicating that a crime had taken place, prompting a thorough investigation. Deputies assisting with the inquiry identified 32-year-old Jeremy Lee Basquette as a person of interest linked to the suspicious vehicle.
Police Chase and Basquette’s Death
Later that same morning, law enforcement officers attempted to pull over a vehicle driven by Basquette, which resulted in a high-speed chase. The pursuit concluded at the intersection of South Carolina Highway 93 and U.S. Route 76 in Clemson, roughly a mile from the Clemson University campus. It ended tragically when Basquette died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is currently investigating Basquette’s death.
Ongoing Investigation
The events surrounding Basquette’s actions led authorities to suspect that Whitmire was a missing person who had recently been in contact with Basquette. Despite their efforts, deputies were unable to locate Whitmire initially. The suspicious vehicle incident raised concerns about Whitmire’s safety, prompting deputies to launch a search for him. This search ultimately resulted in the grim discovery of human remains in the rural area mentioned earlier. The evidence found at the scene suggests Basquette’s involvement in Whitmire’s death.
Community Impact and Cooperation
The discovery of Whitmire’s remains and the ongoing investigation underscore the serious nature of violent crimes in the region. Law enforcement agencies are working diligently to piece together the timeline of events and uncover the full story behind this tragedy. Community members with potential information are encouraged to contact the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office at 864-898-5500. Authorities stress the importance of public cooperation to help resolve the case and provide clarity on the circumstances leading to Whitmire’s tragic death.
Conclusion
The case has sparked concern about safety and crime in the area, drawing attention to the need for vigilance and cooperation between residents and law enforcement. The investigation’s progress and any significant updates will be communicated to the public as they become available. Authorities remain hopeful that information from the community will aid in closing the case and delivering answers to Whitmire’s family and loved ones [1].
