Kierstyn Williamson Obituary, Death – Two People Have Been Detained As Part Of The Ongoing Homicide Investigation Kierstyn Williamson, 18, from Laurens, South Carolina, has been missing since Sunday morning, when the Union County Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation into her absence. Ms. Williamson’s family members were the ones who made the original report of her disappearance to the authorities in Laurens, South Carolina after she had not been seen or heard from since the evening hours of June 30, 2023.
The UCSO received information that suggested Ms. Williamson was likely in a residence in the 500 block of Bethpage Ln. in the city of Monroe at the time the information was supplied. An exhaustive search for Ms. Williamson and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her disappearance have been carried out over the course of the past 36 hours with the support of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation by a large number of UCSO investigators, deputies, and crime scene technicians.
It is with great regret that I can now report that the body of a female decedent, who is thought to be Ms. Kierstyn Williamson, was located late yesterday afternoon. This news comes from the Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey. As a consequence of the exhaustive investigation, two individuals have been apprehended, and the situation is now being treated as a homicide inquiry. Joshua Newton, age 25, has been charged with Obstruction of Justice as well as First-Degree Murder following an investigation. Victoria Smith, who is 22 years old, has been charged with obstructing the administration of justice as well as accessory after the fact. At this moment, neither of the individuals has been released from detention.
In addition, Sheriff Eddie Cathey stated, “My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the victim in this case as they begin to mourn this incomprehensible loss.” Over the course of the last few days, the female and male members of the Union County Sheriff’s Office have given their undivided attention to the investigation of this case and have worked tirelessly to ensure that those guilty for this senseless tragedy are brought to justice.
According to the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office, Joshua Newton is accused of going to the restaurant in Laurens, South Carolina, where Williamson worked and driving him and another person back to their residence in Monroe, which is more than two hours away. On Wednesday, deputies from the sheriff’s office discovered what is thought to be the body of Williamson on the side of a road just a few miles away from Newton’s home.
Victoria Smith, who was living with Newton, and Newton himself were both taken into custody. According to the sheriff’s office, the investigation has led authorities to suspect that Newton murdered Williamson in his home and that Smith assisted him in concealing the body.
