Body found on York County Catawba reservation identified, officials say

Police and coroner officials in York County are continuing to investigate after a woman’s body was found Friday morning on the Catawba Nation Reservation.

The woman was identified late Friday as Dana McCoy, 48, said Sabrina Gast, York County coroner. McCoy’s last known address was in Lancaster, Gast said.

Toxicology and autopsy results are pending, and a cause and manner of death have not yet been determined, Gast said.

Police and coroner officials have not completed their investigation into McCoy’s death but said it does not appear to be suspicious.

“There does not appear to be any foul play,” York County Sheriff’s Office Lt. W.J. Miller said.

Patrol officers, crime scene units and detectives spent much of the day Friday at the scene in front of a home in the 300 block of Yesebehena Circle, said Trent Faris, spokesperson for the sheriff’s office.

McCoy’s body was found by a walker Friday morning in woods next to the road, Faris said.

Neighbors who were canvassed by deputies said they did not know the woman, and it remains unclear why she was on the York County side of the Catawba River.

“We have a death investigation and are looking at the situation,” Faris said.

The scene is near a street called Tomahawk Ridge southeast of the tribal headquarters. Leaders with the Catawba nation, including tribal secretary Rod Beck and executive council member Sam Beck, were on the scene Friday working with police and coroner officials.

“Tribal officials are aware of the investigation and are waiting for more information from law enforcement,” tribe spokesperson Elizabeth Harris said.

The 700-acre Catawba reservation sits in eastern York County along the shores of the Catawba River. The Catawbas are the only federally recognized Native American tribe in South Carolina.

This story was originally published March 29, 2019 at 8:54 AM.