SC man allegedly killed by his ex-wife named. She was found ‘covered in blood’
A Horry County circuit court judge denied bond Sunday to a woman arrested for murder after police found her “covered in blood.”
Horry County Police arrested Joyanna Vansant on May 17 for murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, according to the sheriff’s office.
She is accused of killing Frederick Vansant, Jr., 60, according to Horry County Chief Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard by email. Vansant was found by officers in a closet at his home, Willard said.
Court and land records show that the man was her ex-husband. The two divorced in 2021, South Carolina Department of Social Services records show.
On Friday, police performed a welfare check along Dinger Court in the Burgess area, which is the same street Frederick Vansant owns a town home, according to land records. Joyanna Vansant answered the door, “covered in blood,” said a social media post from Horry County Police. The 53-year-old used to live at the address but no longer does.
Police searched the home and found someone dead in the closet. There was evidence of a shooting, the post said.
Judge Manuela Ardeljan Clayton said during the bond hearing Sunday morning that Joyanna Vansant has a Myrtle Beach address.
The victim has family living more than three hours away, an official told Clayton during the hearing.
The Sun News requested the police reports from the incident.
This story was originally published May 18, 2025 at 10:40 AM.
