A man has been arrested and charged with murder in the death of his former roommate whose body was missing for over two years and found buried under a firepit earlier this summer, police said.
Penni Whiteside’s remains were discovered buried in the yard outside her home on June 12 in the 600 block of 1st Avenue in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, according to a statement from the Myrtle Beach Police Department. She had been missing since the spring of 2022 when she was 51-years-old at the time of her disappearance.
Neighbors told police that they had reason to believe Whiteside was buried under the firepit in the backyard of her home, where 54-year-old Sheridan Dirk Fogle was also living at the time, police said.
“The arrest warrant originated from the missing persons case and original incident that occurred on May 11, 2022, in the 600 block of 1st Avenue South. As stated in the original report, the identified victim had been living with the offender. Further investigation revealed that due to statements made by her neighbors, there was reason to believe that she may have been buried near the residence, in the backyard under a firepit,” said the Myrtle Beach Police Department. “On June 12, 2024, investigators obtained a search warrant for the property in question. During the search, the victim’s remains were recovered and identified.”
Whiteside’s death was being investigated by authorities as a homicide when, on Thursday morning at approximately 7:30 a.m., an arrest warrant was served to Fogle in the 1800 block of Broughton Street in Orangeburg, South Carolina, in connection with a “missing person and murder case.”
Fogle was arrested in connection with the death of Whiteside on Thursday and has since been charged with murder, authorities said.
“This is a tragic loss of life and a senseless crime of violence. Please continue to pray for the family and friends of the victim,” authorities said. “The Myrtle Beach Police Department is committed to seeking justice and holding those accountable for those who do harm. Thank you to the U.S. Marshals Service- Carolina’s Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety for assisting with the arrest in this case.”
Fogle appeared in court on Friday and a judge did not set bond for the suspect, according to ABC News’ Florence, South Carolina, affiliate WPDE. The Myrtle Beach judge did confirm, however, that the case against Fogle would be referred to the general sessions court and that two future court dates on Oct. 25 and Dec. 13 have been scheduled.
The investigation is currently ongoing and authorities have said that no other information will be released at this time.
In a shocking and tragic turn of events, a roommate has been charged with murder after the body of a missing woman was discovered under a backyard firepit two years after her disappearance. The gruesome discovery has left the community in disbelief and has raised questions about the safety of living with roommates.
The victim, whose identity has not been released pending notification of next of kin, was reported missing in 2019. Despite extensive searches and investigations by law enforcement, her whereabouts remained unknown until recently. The breakthrough in the case came when authorities received a tip about suspicious activity at the residence where the victim had lived with her roommate.
Upon further investigation, police uncovered human remains buried beneath a firepit in the backyard of the home. The remains were later confirmed to be those of the missing woman. The roommate, whose name has also not been disclosed, was arrested and charged with murder in connection with her death.
The motive behind the heinous crime remains unclear, but neighbors and acquaintances of the victim have expressed shock and disbelief at the news. Many have described the victim as a kind and friendly person, making it difficult to comprehend how such a tragedy could have occurred.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of being cautious when choosing roommates and being aware of any red flags that may indicate potential danger. It also highlights the need for vigilance in reporting suspicious behavior to authorities, as it was a tip from a concerned individual that ultimately led to the discovery of the victim’s body.
As the investigation into this tragic incident continues, the community is left grappling with the loss of a beloved member and seeking justice for the victim. Our thoughts are with her loved ones during this difficult time, and we hope that they find some measure of closure as the legal process unfolds.
