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Suspect charged in two-year-old murder case
by Crystal Walker
Posted: 06.13.2008 at 4:17 PM
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Kenneth Lynch
Photo

West Columbia Police filed murder charges Friday against a man they’ve had in custody for two years.

Forty-eight-year-old Kenneth Andrew Lynch is facing two murder counts in the disappearance of Portia Washington and her granddaughter Angelica Livingston. The two went missing on June 10, 2006 and investigators believe they were murdered, but their bodies have never been found.

Lynch was the prime suspect in the pair's disappearance two years ago. U.S. Customs officers arrested Lynch in Washington state a few days after the two disappeared.

"We've been working diligently on this case ever since and working with the solicitor's office, we felt confident that this was the time to go forward with charges against Mr. Lynch,” said Major Jackie Brother with West Columbia Police.

Investigators say Lynch abandoned Washington’s car at a Seattle bus station and tried to escape to Canada before his arrest.

Teresa Brown is Washington’s daughter and Livingston’s mother. She is happy Lynch is finally being charged with the murder, but says real justice will come later.

"It's no punishment that can replace what he took, because even if he does life in prison, my baby and my mom still not here. I mean I don't feel like justice is going to be served until God serves justice," Brown said.

On the second anniversary of her mother’s disappearance, Brown wrote a letter expressing how she wishes this had happened to her – not her mother and daughter, "I have to stop and say to myself stop being so selfish, God does everything for a reason and now you're in a better place, gone but not forgotten."

Portia Washington
Portia Washington

Angelica Livingston
Angelica Livingston

Lynch was held in the Lexington County Detention Center since being extradited from Washington state on a charge related to the theft of Washington’s car. 

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