Search for missing man comes to ‘tragic end,’ South Carolina sheriff says
A weekslong search for a missing South Carolina man has come to a “tragic end,” according to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office.
Paul Chandler’s body was found in the Congaree River at about 8:45 p.m. Monday, said Sheriff Thomas Summers. There was no word about where in the river the body was found, or about who made the discovery.
Chandler was publicly reported missing Dec. 4, according to the sheriff’s office. The 72-year-old was last seen by his family at about 3 a.m. Dec. 3, the sheriff’s office said.
At about 8 p.m. Dec. 3, Chandler’s vehicle was recovered in the Congaree River at Bates Landing, the sheriff’s office said. That’s near U.S. 601 in the St. Matthews area, close to the line between Richland and Calhoun counties.
Chandler was not in the vehicle.
Information about how both Chandler and his vehicle wound up in the river was not available.
The sheriff’s office did not say if foul play was suspected in Chandler’s disappearance.
“Sheriff Summers and everyone at the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office want to extend our heartfelt condolences and prayers to the Chandler family during this time,” Summer said.
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This story was originally published December 17, 2024 at 10:15 AM with the headline "Search for missing man comes to ‘tragic end,’ South Carolina sheriff says."
