Murder trial for former SC coroner’s mistress to begin. 5 things to know
The mistress of a former Horry County coroner is scheduled to be tried for murder after allegedly killing her ex-boyfriend.
Meagan Jackson’s trial is slated to start June 9. Opening statements will likely begin Tuesday, depending on how long jury selection takes.
Jackson’s trial has been delayed a number of times. It was last scheduled on Feb. 4 before the trial was continued.
She will now stand trial six months after her lover, a former county coroner, pleaded guilty for his involvement in the death of Greg Rice.
Here’s what to know before the trial begins.
What charges is Jackson facing?
Jackson will be tried for murder, criminal conspiracy, kidnapping and conspiracy to commit kidnapping, according to the 15th Judicial Circuit Court roster. This is in connection to Greg Rice’s death.
She also has four neglect of children/helpless person charges but will not be tried for these until later, the court roster shows.
Who else is involved?
Christopher Dontell, a former Horry County coroner, was also involved in Rice’s death. He pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact and criminal conspiracy to commit murder on Dec. 4, 2024, The Sun News reported. He was previously charged with murder and conspiracy to commit kidnapping but those charges were dropped.
At the time of Rice’s death, Dontell and Jackson were having an affair.
Dontell may testify against Jackson in her trial, his lawyer Aimee Zmroczek said during a December press conference.
What is the background of the case?
At the beginning of October 2020, Jackson reported Rice as missing. In November, Rice’s body was found wrapped in a tarp in the Great Pee Dee River.
On Oct. 3, 2020, Jackson allegedly texted Dontell saying Rice was dead and that Dontell needed to take care of it, Prosecutor Mary-Ellen Walter said during Dontell’s trial. The former coroner took Rice’s body from the Myrtle Beach Funeral Home and dumped it in the Great Pee Dee River.
Video footage shows Dontell buying a tarp, cinder blocks and zip ties on Oct. 3, 2020. There’s also video of him driving to and from the area where Rice’s body was discovered.
How did Jackson know Rice?
Jackson and Rice dated and had four children together at the time of his death. Since Jackson’s arrest, Rice’s oldest son has taken over care of his siblings, Walter said during Dontell’s trial.
The pair split up in the fall of 2019, The Sun News previously reported.
How did Dontell and Jackson meet?
Dontell and Jackson were family friends for “quite some time,” Zmroczek said. Their children would play together and Jackson had become a part of Dontell’s family, which included his wife and children.
Around the beginning of 2020, Dontell and Jackson began an affair.
Jackson worked in the body transportation business so she and Dontell would see each other at work.
Dontell was released on bond on Nov. 11, 2020, but violated his bond terms by contacting and meeting with Jackson. He was then sent back to jail. Since then, he has ceased a relationship with Jackson, Zmroczek said.
This story was originally published February 7, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
