Man wanted for questioning now faces charges after body found in burning car, SC cops say
A South Carolina man who was wanted for questioning is now facing charges connected to the death of another man whose body was discovered a burning vehicle, according to the Sumter Police Department.
John Elliot Dingle, a 27-year-old Manning resident, turned himself in Wednesday and was charged with third-degree arson and desecration of human remains, police said in a news release.
Dingle was booked at the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center, according to the release. Bond was set at $50,000 on the combined charges and Dingle remains locked up, Sumter County court records show. He’s scheduled to return to court on April 4, according to judicial records.
The charges are connected to the death 67-year-old Manning resident Willis Samuel Jr., according to the release.
At about 2:20 a.m. Dec. 31, 2024, human remains were found inside a burning car, police said. The burning car was discovered behind an Eastwood Park apartment complex off Boulevard Road, according to the release.
An autopsy was required to identify the human remains as Samuel’s, police said.
Samuel’s manner of death has not been determined, and further autopsy results are pending, according to the release.
In January, police said that Dingle, who was “affiliated with” Samuel was wanted for questioning because officers thought he might have information that could help the homicide investigation.
In Wednesday’s update, police said they determined that Samuel was dead inside the car before it was set on fire by Dingle. Information about why the car was set on fire was not available.
Despite the initial charges, police said they are working with the Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Sumter County Coroner’s Office to determine how and why Samuels was killed.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 803-436-2700, CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC or submit an online tip.
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This story was originally published February 13, 2025 at 8:01 AM with the headline "Man wanted for questioning now faces charges after body found in burning car, SC cops say."
