Missing South Carolina woman's fiance seen leaving scene of her burned SUV, police say
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Dara Wilson is seen in this undated photo, provided by the Mount Pleasant Police Department, and police search the area around Watson's burnt SUV. (WCBD-TV)
Authorities confirmed Tuesday that the death of a missing South Carolina woman's fiance was a suicide, and they revealed that he had been seen leaving the area where Dara Watson's sport-utility vehicle was found burning, WCBD-TV in Charleston reported.
In a news conference held by Mount Pleasant police, officials said witnesses identified fiance David Hedrick as leaving the scene with a shovel, according to the station.
Hedrick, 34, was found dead Friday of a gunshot wound, and Charleston County Coroner Rae Wooten confirmed that the wound was self-inflicted.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Watson, 30, was last seen Feb. 6, when she left her parents' business in Boone, N.C., her mother told police. Authorities said in a press release that Watson's cellphone was last used around 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Her boss also reported receiving a text message from Watson on Wednesday, "stating she was fine," according to police.
Her burned 2006 GMC Envoy was found abandoned in the Francis Marion Forest.
Her boss filed a missing person’s report on Friday after she failed to show up for work, according to local media reports, the same day Hedrick's body was found in Watson’s home.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Police are asking the public for further information on sightings of Watson's vehicle, as well as a white 2008 Mercedes.
Deputies on Monday received a tip about fresh digging about 10 miles from where the burned SUV was found. A forensics team sampling the dirt for any evidence, the station reported, though it doesn't appear to be connected to the disappearance.