South Carolina man charged with murder after body of woman missing for 2 years found in backyard home

Man charged with murder after remains of woman missing for two years found buried under the hearth in the yard of a South Carolina home earlier this summer.

An arrest warrant for Sheridan Dirk Fogle, 54, was served Thursday in the 1800 block of Broughton Street in Orangeburg in connection with the missing person case and murder of Penni Whiteside, according to the Myrtle Beach Police Department.

Whiteside was last seen on May 11, 2022, and was living with Fogle in a home in the 600 block of 1st Avenue at the time, police said. She was 51.

The relationship between Whiteside and Fogle is unclear at this time.

“Further investigation revealed that based on statements made by her neighbors, there was reason to believe she may have been buried near the residence, in the backyard under a fire pit,” the Myrtle Beach Police Department said in a news release.

Whiteside’s remains were found buried in the yard of the home during a search on June 12, according to the Horry County Coroner’s Office. The cause of death has not been released by the coroner’s office.

“This is a tragic loss of life and a senseless crime of violence,” police said. “Please continue to pray for the victim’s family and friends.”

Fogle was booked into the J. Reuben Long Detention Center in Horry County on Friday, where he remains in custody, according to online records. No bail has been set for him.

It is not yet known whether Fogle has a lawyer or when his next hearing will be.