Update: Missing Bluffton woman’s body found on roadside
Update
Missing Bluffton woman’s body found on roadside
The search for a Bluffton woman reported missing Monday morning, August 9, has ended with the confirmed discovery of her body on a Charleston County roadside, according to a Sheriff’s Department press release.
The body of white female was located on Old Jacksonboro Road in Adams Run early Monday morning, August 9. The body has since been identified as 27-year-old Alexis Lukaitis who was reported missing in Beaufort County on Monday by her fiancé, 32-year-old Michael Bartley, after he became concerned that she never returned home from what was expected to be a brief visit to Charleston.
Bartley said that Lukaitis had left to take a friend to Charleston at 3:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon. Bartley said that at approximately 7:45 p.m., he spoke to Lukaitis by phone and that she told him she’d be home in about an hour. As of 9:00 a.m. Monday, Lukaitis had yet to return and after she could not be reached by phone, Bartley contacted the Sheriff’s Office to report her missing.
According to Charleston County authorities, Lukaitis’ death is believed to be the result knife wounds, and is being investigated as a homicide by the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office. Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office investigators are working with investigators from both Charleston County and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to provide any assistance available as a result of the originating missing person investigation.
In addition, Lukaitis’ missing 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix was discovered this morning in Beaufort County. A Bluffton police officer proactively patrolling in the area of the Bluffton Oyster Company (101 Bridge Street) noticed the unoccupied vehicle in the parking lot at approximately 6:30 am. Upon confirming the vehicle as Lukaitis’, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office was notified. Investigators from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office responded. At that time, SLED was notified and requested for forensic processing and evidence collection. The vehicle was impounded by Beaufort County investigators for later transport to Charleston.
No further details are available for release at this time. Inquiries regarding Charleston’s homicide investigation are to be directed to Major John Clark, Public Information Officer for the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office at 843-554-2444. Inquiries regarding the initial missing person investigation and the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office participation in the continued investigation may be directed to Sgt. Robin McIntosh at 843-255-3312.
Related posts:
- Twenty-seven year old Bluffton woman missing after trip to Charleston
- Varnville man missing, home ransacked, blood everywhere
- Bloody Varnville residence upgraded to crime scene with missing person alert
- Body discovered in Bluffton
- Missing Varnville man in custody, mental evaluation conducted
