Murder trial for ex Horry County coroner has been four years in making. 5 things to know
The murder trial for former Horry County Coroner Chris Dontell is set to begin this week, with jury selection that began on Monday.
Dontell is allegedly connected to the 2020 death of Greg Rice, the ex-boyfriend of Dontell’s mistress, Meagan Jackson, according to previous reporting from The Sun News.
Dontell was fired as a deputy coroner in Horry County after he was named as a suspect four years ago.
Here’s what to know as the trial begins.
What are Dontell’s charges?
Dontell has been charged with murder, criminal conspiracy charge, conspiracy to commit kidnapping and accessory after the fact for the death of Rice.
Who else is involved in Rice’s death?
Jackson, Dontell’s former girlfriend, has also been indicted on two murder charges, two criminal conspiracy charges, four charges of neglect of children/helpless person, conspiracy to commit kidnapping and accessory after the fact charges.
Her trial was supposed to begin Dec. 2, 2024, but was continued.
How did Dontell and Jackson meet?
Jackson worked as a sub-contractor for the Horry County Coroner’s Office and that is how Dontell and Jackson’s relationship began, police reports said. The two also lived in the same Conway-area subdivision.
Jackson and Rice had four children together and separated in 2019 but continued communication over the children.
What evidence connects Dontell to Rice’s death?
In November 2020, a month after Jackson reported Rice missing, Rice’s body was found wrapped in a tarp in the Great Pee Dee River.
Around the time of Rice’s death, security footage shows Dontell buying cement blocks, a similar tarp, zip ties and other materials found near Rice’s body, police reports said.
Trial is over four years in the making
Dontell and Jackson were originally arrested in 2020 for these crimes and has been in and out of jail since. Dontell was originally given a $62,500 bond but was sent back to jail after breaking parole.
He allegedly met with and contacted Jackson after being released. As of June, Dontell was being held at J. Reuben Long Detention Center and Jackson is on house arrest, The Sun News reported.
