Steve Crawford Whitmire Obituary, Death: Human remains found in rural South Carolina identified as homicide victim, coroner confirms.

Steve Crawford Whitmire Obituary, Death – Human remains discovered over the weekend in a rural part of South Carolina have been identified as belonging to Steve Crawford Whitmire, a 68-year-old resident of Liberty, according to the Pickens County Coroner’s Office. Whitmire was confirmed as the homicide victim after his body parts were found Sunday evening near the 500 block of Massingill Memorial Drive in Pickens. The location where the remains were discovered is a heavily wooded, rural area about 30 feet off the road, as reported by the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office.
An autopsy conducted on Monday confirmed Whitmire’s identity and established that the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head. Authorities have connected Whitmire’s death to a recent police incident involving a man who was engaged in a police chase.
On the early morning of May 15, the Central Police Department received a report about suspicious activity—a vehicle and person spotted near an abandoned home on the 200 block of Aiken Street. Officers responding to the scene discovered evidence indicating that a crime had taken place, prompting a thorough investigation. Deputies assisting with the inquiry identified 32-year-old Jeremy Lee Basquette as a person of interest linked to the suspicious vehicle.
Later that same morning, law enforcement officers attempted to pull over a vehicle driven by Basquette, which resulted in a high-speed chase. The pursuit concluded at the intersection of South Carolina Highway 93 and U.S. Route 76 in Clemson, roughly a mile from the Clemson University campus. It ended tragically when Basquette died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is currently investigating Basquette’s death. The events surrounding Basquette’s actions led authorities to suspect that Whitmire was a missing person who had recently been in contact with Basquette. Despite their efforts, deputies were unable to locate Whitmire initially. The suspicious vehicle incident raised concerns about Whitmire’s safety, prompting deputies to launch a search for him.
This search ultimately resulted in the grim discovery of human remains in the rural area mentioned earlier. The evidence found at the scene suggests Basquette’s involvement in Whitmire’s death. However, details about the relationship or connection between Basquette and Whitmire have not yet been disclosed by authorities.
Although Basquette is deceased, both the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and Coroner’s Office have stated that the investigation into the homicide and related events remains ongoing. They are actively seeking any information that could assist in the case and are urging anyone who might know anything about the incident to come forward.
Community members with potential information are encouraged to contact the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office at 864-898-5500. Authorities stress the importance of public cooperation to help resolve the case and provide clarity on the circumstances leading to Whitmire’s tragic death.
This case highlights a series of interconnected events involving suspicious activity, a fatal police chase, and a murder investigation that continues to unfold in Pickens County. Officials are committed to thoroughly examining all evidence and following up on leads to ensure justice is served.
The discovery of Whitmire’s remains and the ongoing investigation underscore the serious nature of violent crimes in the region. Law enforcement agencies are working diligently to piece together the timeline of events and uncover the full story behind this tragedy.
Meanwhile, the community remains in shock over the violent death of a local resident and the dramatic sequence of events involving Basquette and Whitmire. The case has sparked concern about safety and crime in the area, drawing attention to the need for vigilance and cooperation between residents and law enforcement.
The investigation’s progress and any significant updates will be communicated to the public as they become available. Authorities remain hopeful that information from the community will aid in closing the case and delivering answers to Whitmire’s family and loved ones.
In summary, Steve Crawford Whitmire was identified as the victim whose remains were found in a wooded area in Pickens County. His death by gunshot wound is connected to a man involved in a recent police chase, Jeremy Lee Basquette, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound during the pursuit. Despite Basquette’s death, the investigation continues as authorities seek to understand the full circumstances and bring closure to this tragic event. Community members with information are urged to contact local law enforcement to assist in the ongoing case.