New details released in murder case that saw ex-coroner and alleged mistress arrested
Allegations of child abuse and purchasing supplies to cover-up a murder were some of the scandalous details revealed by state prosecutors in a case that landed a former coroner and his alleged mistress in handcuffs.
Meagan Jackson and Chris Dontell were in Horry County court on Thursday to ask for bond after police charged both with murder and conspiracy. They were arrested in connection to the death of Greg Rice, 47, in Horry County.
The victim’s oldest son asked a judge to deny bail and keep the two behind bars as they await trial.
“Given the allegedly brutal and remediated nature of my father’s murder, I believe both Meagan Jackson and Chris Dontell present an ongoing risk to the community,” Zachary Rice said.
Despite the family’s and prosecutor’s request, Judge Steven John granted bail to Jackson at $100,000 and Dontell at $125,000.
Horry County police released few details about the alleged murder after the arrests, but Chief Deputy Solicitor Scott Hixson provided a few during Thursday’s hearing. Hixson said Jackson was the mother to four of Greg Rice’s children. The two ended their relationship about a year ago, but continued to speak to each other because they shared custody of the children.
Dontell—who was fired as a deputy coroner in Horry County after he was named as a suspect—and Jackson had an affair, Hixson said. Jackson worked as a sub-contractor for the Horry County Coroner’s Office and that is how Dontell and Jackson’s relationship began, Hixson said. The two also lived in the same Conway-area subdivision.
In early October, police started to search for Rice after he hadn’t been seen for a few days.
“Mrs. Jackson is the one that reported around Oct. 5 that Mr. Rice went missing,” Hixson said.
Rice was found in early November wrapped in a tarp along the Great Pee Dee River, near the Horry and Marion counties border, Hixson said.
Video surveillance showed Dontell buying cement blocks, a similar tarp, zip ties and other materials around the time of Rice’s death, Hixson said. Those materials were later found with Rice’s remains.
Dontell and Jackson appeared separately in the Conway courthouse for their hearings. Their appearance was atypical in 2020, as the duo has been held in J. Reuben Long Detention Center since their arrest. Typically, detainees appear by video because of coronavirus precautions. Neither showed any emotion—though their faces were covered by masks—or spoke during the hearings.
Jackson hugged her arms to protect them from the cool air as the diminutive woman stood and listened to the allegations.
Hixson said officers went to Jackson’s home on Thursday with a search warrant. There, they found evidence of child abuse and the state planned to file charges. He did not reveal further details of the alleged abuse.
State social workers took the children after Jackson’s arrest and now live with her half-brother, Hixson said. Zachary Rice is the half-brother of Jackson’s children and Greg Rice’s oldest child from a previous relationship.
“We are very concerned about the safety and well being of the children in all of this,” Hixson said.
Jackson’s lawyer William Grammer said his client is a high-school graduate and used most of her life savings to buy her Horry County home. He asked for a reasonable bond.
Dontrell’s attorney Kirk Truslow noted his client is married and his family was in the courtroom. He also raised concern with the video surveillance and alluded that it might show an accessory charge, than a murder count. Hixson said Dontell’s Coroner’s badge and police radio were not returned after his arrest. John ordered Dontell turn over both items if he posts bail.
This story was originally published November 19, 2020 at 2:49 PM.
