Cold Case Unit
The Cold Case Unit was formed to reactivate and review previously unsolved homicides. The Squad is made up of experienced investigators. Using a combination of new forensic technology, computer databases, re-interviewing of witnesses and review of the original investigation, investigators have been able to develop new approaches and strategies to the cases. The Richland County Cold Case Squad was formed to provide closure to family members of those who have been murdered and hold offenders accountable for what they have done.
If you have any information on the "cold" or unsolved murder cases listed below, or any unsolved murder, please call us at (803) 576-3000. Together we can bring relief to tragic situations and bring the guilty to justice.
Unsolved Cases
On September 27, 1992, Regina Canzater, the mother of three, was found dead in a ditch. This area of Columbia where she was found by a teenager is by the railroad tracks on West Beltline Blvd. and the Colony Apartments. Ms. Canzater lived in Jagers Terrace Apartments also located along West Beltline Blvd. She would often walk along this path to visit her daughter and friends in the area of the Colony Apartments.
Regina Canzater: Case #0927922027
Silene Eaddy was found murdered on April 17, 2004. She was only fifteen years old at the time of her death. Silene was found in a wooded area by the Fire Department at the intersection of Pincushion and Montgomery Roads. It was discovered that she had been severely beaten and then set on fire.
Silene Eaddy: Case #0404171517
On the 22nd of February 2020 Deputies responded to 357 Willie Wilson Rd in reference to the victim, Robert Gerhart, DOB: 11/17/1952, being found at his residence bleeding from the head. Gerhart was pronounced dead at the scene and after autopsy; it was found that he had died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head. Through the investigation, it is believed that Gerhart was murdered between the 19th and the 22nd of February. At this time it is still unknown who is responsible for Gerhart’s death.
Robert Gerhart: Case #2002049922
On December 3, 2016, Brandon Jamar Goodson, age 29 of Hopkins, SC, was found with multiple gunshot wounds at an apartment complex in the 3600 block of Ranch Rd. in the Dentsville area. This incident occurred around 11:40 P.M. He later died of complications from his wounds.
Brandon Goodson: Case #1612035104
Eugene Carmichael O’Boyle, known as Mike, was reported missing by his family on May 29, 1980. He was last seen at a C& S Bank branch office on Two Notch Rd. near I-20 around 11:30 A.M on May 27, 1980. He was accompanied by an unidentified female at that time. Mike’s burning car was found several days later in the area of Parklane Rd. and Farrow Rd. in Dentsville. His skeletal remains were found in a thinly wooded area about a mile from where his car was burned on November 29, 1980. Mike was 20 years old at the time of his death and a sophomore at the University of South Carolina.
Eugene O'Boyle: Case #1129800000
Robert “Cody” Presher was murdered on October 28, 2018. He was only seventeen years old at the time of his death. Mr. Presher was found dead in his apartment on Deerwood St. Cody died as a result of gunshot wounds.
Robert Codath "Cody" Presher: Case #1810037828
On August 17, 1996 Richland County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the Rosewood boat landing located at the end of Rosewood Drive, just down from the SC State Fairgrounds in Columbia, S.C. Deputies were called there after witnesses reported that a man had been stabbed. When deputies arrived, they discovered the body of 65 year old Jack Robinson. He had driven to the boat landing in his white four-door 1991 Dodge Dynasty. Witnesses describe how Robinson met with a man and walked with him into a wooded area. Shortly thereafter, they heard Jack screaming for help and he stumbled out of the woods. He had been stabbed. The suspect, featured in the composite above, was described as a Latino male about 5’10”, 160lbs, mustache, wearing dark Ray-Ban style sunglasses. He was believed to be around 25-35 years old. Jack lived on Ranch Rd and worked at Moncrief Army Hospital on Ft. Jackson in the drug dispensary.
Jack Robinson: Case #0817963023
Jack Robinson: Case #0817963023
On June 19, 2001 Shelton John Sanders was last seen at 1132 Olympia Avenue in Columbia, South Carolina. No one in his family or circle of friends have heard from him since that time. His vehicle was Later located; however, his remains have not been found. Anyone having information on the death of Shelton Sanders or the location of his remains is asked to call the Richland County Sheriff’s Department at 803-576-3000 or Crimestoppers at 1-888-crimesc.
Shelton John Sanders: Case #00305251221
On August 24, 2008, 23 year old Natasha Warren was found deceased inside her vehicle. She was on her way to work and had pulled off Interstate 26 at the Bush River Rd. exit with a flat tire. Ms. Warren went into a nearby convenience store to call a family member for assistance and also called her boss to let them know she would be late. Ms. Warren died of a gunshot wound to the chest.
Natasha Warren: Case #0808241324
Theron “Boukie” Woodard was killed on May 12, 2019. He and a friend had just left Insomnia Night Club and were traveling on Columbia Mall Blvd. en route to the Summit. As they approached the Theatre at Columbia Mall, a dark color vehicle drove up beside them and began shooting. Boukie, who was in the passenger’s seat was hit and died from his injuries. He was only 26 years old at the time of his death. Mr. Woodard is from Fairfield County.
Theron "Boukie" Woodard: Case #1905007612
Theron "Boukie" Woodard: Case #190500612
Claudette young, 17 years of age, was reported missing by her mother on May 5, 1993. She was actually last seen on April 16, 1993. On July 16, 1993, the remains of Ms. Young were found in a wooded field near Clarkson Rd. and Weston Rd. in lower Richland County.
Donald Ryant was found shot to death at 2 Sandy Springs Court in Northwest Richland County around 11:00 P.M. on December 14, 2008. He was shot while sitting in his vehicle with the engine running. Donald was only 27 years old at the time of his death. Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers—1-800-crimesc or the Richland County Sheriff’s Dept. Cold Case Unit—803-576-3462.