LANCASTER COUNTY, S.C. — A man is facing multiple charges, including murder, in connection with the killing of a 65-year-old woman at her home in Lancaster County last week, deputies said.
The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call around 6:30 p.m. on March 5 after a relative went to the woman's home and found her dead inside after discovering the door was unlocked. The victim was identified as 65-year-old Harriet Mahaffey. Her body was found next to 11 shell casings, investigators said.
"This was a horrific crime and one that has no logical explanation," Sheriff Barry Faile said. "Ms. Mahaffey was shot and killed as she sat defenseless in her home. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family."
Mahaffey lived alone and her family hadn't heard from her in a few days so they became suspicious, according to the sheriff's office.
"With things going on in the world today you never know what’s going to happen where. It was more or less a surprise," neighbor Kenneth Waiters said. "We live in a quiet neighborhood. Don’t nobody bother nobody and just for something like that to happen is a tragic thing for someone to do something like that."
An autopsy revealed that Mahaffey was killed the day before she was found by that family member. Mahaffey's Jeep Grand Cherokee was also missing from the house. Investigators received multiple tips that the SUV was spotted in Charlotte and Chester County on Tuesday.
Lancaster County deputies identified 23-year-old Lloyd Caldwell Jr. as a suspect in the case after gathering evidence from the scene. He was arrested in Chester County on March 10 and charged with murder, first-degree burglary, grand larceny of more than $20,000 and possession of a firearm during a violent crime. He is in jail without bond while he awaits trial.
Caldwell allegedly told deputies where Mahaffey's Jeep was and they found it near the house where Caldwell was arrested. Multiple agencies assisted with the investigation, including South Carolina state investigators, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police and the FBI.
If your loved one was impacted by this incident, WCNC Charlotte hopes to make this process less painful with our More Than A Number initiative. With your help, we want to share who your loved one was with our viewers in North Carolina and South Carolina. When you're ready, fill out the form below or send us photos, memories and other details about them to desk@wcnc.com.
Note: WCNC instituted a policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots.
WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings.
WCNC Charlotte is choosing to show the mugshot of the suspect due to the serious nature of his charges.