Man dies from burns after starting a fire behind North Myrtle Beach Walmart to stay warm
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the Walmart location where the incident took place and was provided by the Horry County Coroner’s Office. (Updated 5:27 p.m. March 10, 2025)
A man died at the beginning of March after a two month battle with burns sustained while trying to stay warm in North Myrtle Beach.
Gary Thibault, 61, died March 3 at the Doctors Hospital of Augusta burn center, according to Tamara Willard, the Horry County chief deputy coroner. On Jan. 4, he lit boxes on fire behind the Gator Hole Walmart in North Myrtle Beach in an attempt to warm himself.
It’s unclear whether he was unhoused, and if he was, for how long.
This story was originally published March 6, 2025 at 7:19 PM.
Emalyn Muzzy
The Sun News