Body of woman found dead in boat after fire breaks out in Murrells Inlet

Friday morning Georgetown County Deputies responded to a fire at Perry’s Bait and Tackle, located at 3965 U.S. 17 Business in Murrells Inlet, according to a release from the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office.

Crews were called to the scene around 10 a.m. where flames and smoke were scene from the building, Assistant Chief J.R. Haney with the Murrells Inlet-Garden City Fire Department said.

“We saw fire trucks, and it looked like fire scene investigators and police vehicles,” Rich Tella, who was fishing along the Marsh Walk, said. “They were looking around the site, they had it roped off with yellow tape and we saw some smoke.”

Haney did say that the fire was quickly extinguished.

The release states that witnesses saw a male leaving the area in a small boat after the fire was reported. The Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol unit, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and the United States Coast Guard began an investigation to search for the man.

Around 1 p.m. officials found the male and the boat. On board the boat was the body of a dead female, officials said.

Officials are currently investigating the cause of the fire as well as female’s death. The release states that an autopsy is scheduled for Saturday morning to determine the cause of death.

A post on the Perry’s Bait and Tackle Facebook page states:

“Jessica’s family and friends ask for your prayers in the coming days and weeks. Please keep her three children also in your thoughts and prayers as well. Also - we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your business and the love expressed over the years.”

Anyone with information regarding the investigation can call the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office at 843-546-5102.

This story was originally published September 29, 2017 at 4:25 PM with the headline "Body of woman found dead in boat after fire breaks out in Murrells Inlet."