A week after tragic killing, fire Perry’s Bait and Tackle may reopen
Perry’s Bait and Tackle in Murrells Inlet was shuttered last week after a fire burned the building, and the woman who ran the store was murdered, according to police.
A Facebook post on the shop’s page said the store may re-open on Friday.
“Perrys Bait and Tackle is shooting to reopen Friday. Please keep in mind this is up in the air at the moment. Keep Jessica and Eric's children in your thoughts and actions. Liam, Aden and Bella Perry, her parents Craig and Sharon Doehner, and her brother Corbett Doehner. Not site on the time, but stay posted and positive,” the post read.
Murrells Inlet-Garden City Fire crews were called out to battle a blaze at the bait shop at 3965 U.S. 17 Business at about 10 a.m. Friday, according to Assistant Chief J.R. Haney with MIGCF, who said the fire was quickly put out - the damage done repairable.
Yellow police tape was still roped around the brightly painted building the day after it was buried and a makeshift memorial sprung up Friday afternoon following the news of the fire, and 37-year-old Jessica Lynn Hill’s death.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called in to investigate.
Witnesses told authorities they saw a man leaving the area in a small boat after the fire was reported, according to a release from the GCSO. The GCSO Marine Patrol unit, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and the United States Coast Guard began an investigation to search for the man, police said.
On Friday afternoon, Hill was found dead on a boat driven by Eric Justin Perry – who was charged with murder and arson in connection to the incident – following the fire, Georgetown County authorities said.
A memorial was held for Hill Monday night in Murrells Inlet as family and friends gathered for a “last cast” along the water in her honor.
A visitation for Hill will be held Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Goldfinch Funeral Home in Murrells Inlet, and a funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at Belin Memorial United Methodist.
This story was originally published October 3, 2017 at 2:29 PM with the headline "A week after tragic killing, fire Perry’s Bait and Tackle may reopen."