Coroner identifies couple found dead in Camden house fire
hales #hales
CAMDEN, S.C. (WIS) – The Kershaw County Coroner’s Office has identified the couple who were found dead inside a Camden house fire.
The bodies of Steven Hales and Nancy Hales were found on January 10 after officials extinguished the fire at their home on Lyttleton Street. The cause of death for both victims has been ruled a homicide.
They had been married for 36 years and moved to Camden in 2005, the coroner’s office said.
Thomas Knotts, 43, has been arrested in connection with the murders. He has been charged with two counts of murder, one count of second-degree arson, two counts of kidnapping, and one count of using a vehicle without the owner’s consent.
RELATED STORY: Two killed in Camden house fire, officials investigating
Camden Police say Knotts knew the Hales, but did not say how they were acquainted.
During his bond hearing on Tuesday, Knotts received a $5,000 surety bond on the charge for using a vehicle without consent.
However, he was denied bond on the murder, kidnapping, and arson charges. He will have to go before a circuit court judge for these charges.
Knotts is expected to make his next court appearance on March 16.
Copyright 2021 WIS. All rights reserved.