Missing man’s body found wrapped in rug off South Carolina road, cops say. 2 arrested

A missing man believed to be in danger was found dead days later off a South Carolina road, officials said.

Now, two men are charged with murder in the 35-year-old’s death, deputies said. The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office in an Aug. 23 news release didn’t list attorney information for the suspects, identified as Jacob Barber and Jared Tierce, both 22.

Deputies started searching for clues after Phillip Marshal Hughey was last seen Aug. 20 near Williamston, roughly 20 miles south of Greenville.

In the days that followed, deputies asked the public for help with finding Hughey, whom they considered to be in danger. A group had reported that Barber and Tierce killed him, authorities said.

As deputies tried to unravel the mystery, “they discovered a stolen vehicle,” and Barber was taken into custody, the news release said. That’s when the sheriff’s office said he “provided a detailed account of the homicide,” which reportedly involved a strap that’s typically used to tie down equipment.

“Tierce put a ratchet strap around the victim’s neck and applied force,” officials said. “Meantime, Barber is accused of stabbing Hughey several times with a knife.”

Then, on Aug. 22, deputies made a grim discovery in the town of Belton. Hughey was found dead “off the side of the road and down an embankment with multiple traumatic injuries,” the Anderson County coroner’s office wrote in a news release.

Deputies said Barber and Tierce worked together to dispose of Hughey’s body, which was found wrapped inside a rug.

“The preliminary investigation indicates that the victim appears to have been at the location for several days,” the coroner’s office wrote, adding that an upcoming autopsy could help provide clues in the ongoing case.

Deputies told McClatchy News in an Aug. 23 email that the motive in the slaying was “unclear” but said Hughey knew the suspects. The men were arrested on murder charges.

Anyone with information is asked to call deputies at 864-260-4400 or Crime Stoppers at 888-274-6372.

Missing teen found over 150 miles from his SC home, cops say. Now, charges possible

Crew working in woods stumbles upon remains, SC cops say. They belonged to missing man

Foul smell leads deer hunters to human remains under a blanket, Mississippi cops say