Authorities say a 39-year-old man has died trying to steal copper from transformers at the old state mental hospital property near downtown Columbia.
/ MGN
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Authorities say a 39-year-old man has died trying to steal copper from transformers at the old state mental hospital property near downtown Columbia.
Richland County Coroner Gary Watts says a tourist taking pictures of the old building Sunday found the body of Anthony Williams dangling about 20 feet in the air in a harness.
The coroner says it appears Williams was trying to steal copper. While the property has been abandoned, many of the power lines and transformers are still live.
The State Law Enforcement Division is investigating the death because it took place on state property.
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