COLUMBIA (WACH) – Columbia police have made two arrests in connection with a body found floating in a shallow pond in Southeast Park at 560 Hazelwood Road on April 1.
Officials say a couple walking in the park alerted authorities to the man’s body. The Richland County Coroner's Office identifies the victim as Richard Kinsley, Jr.
The 44-year-old Peter Edward Chalers was originally charged with accessory after the fact of murder in the case, but is now charged with murder in the death of Kinsley. Lawrence Stevens, 41, was originally charged with giving false information to police and urban camping, but is also now charged with murder in the death of Kinsley.
Authorities say the Kinsley was homeless.
According to the Richland County Coroner’s Office, Kinsley died from ‘blunt force trauma to the head and manual strangulation.’
Officials with the the Columbia Police Departmen say evidence, including DNA collected at the scene lead to the new charges.
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