DNA testing positively identifies dead man in SC after nearly a decade of mystery
A 22-year-old man has been at the Horry County Coroner’s Office for nine years, but was finally identified.
Malquan Tyreek Hawkins had been listed as a “John Doe” since February 2016 after he died in Horry County, according to Chief Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard by email. The coroner’s office was able to identify Hawkins through DNA.
Hawkins was taken into Department of Social Services custody and adopted at an early age, but was again taken into DSS custody as a teenager, eventually aging out of the North Carolina foster care system, the email said.
It is believed he lived in the New Hanover County area, but has ties to Edgecombe and Nash counties.
The coroner’s office is seeking information about Hawkins and any ties he may have had to Horry County.
Hawkins drowned in a North Myrtle Beach hotel pool. The coroner in 2021 said it was unknown how Hawkins got there. He had no identification on him and was wearing nice clothing. He was found in the pool at Ocean Creek Plantation, but he wasn’t staying there.
A missing person report was never filed.
Genealogists donated time to assist on the cold case, as well as North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and Horry County Police, the email said.
Hawkins’ biological family said they always hoped to find him, “but never thought it would be under these circumstances,” the email said.
This story was originally published October 31, 2025 at 11:03 AM.
