Man charged with murder after 6 found dead, 1 critically injured in house fire, deputies say

COLLETON COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC/Gray News) - Authorities in South Carolina say a murder investigation is underway after six people were found dead and another in critical condition following a house fire.

The Colleton County Sheriff’s Office responded to a house fire in Green Pond around 11 a.m. Sunday. Deputies said six people were found dead, and one woman was flown to the hospital in critical condition, WCSC reports.

Investigators said 33-year-old Ryan Lenard Manigo was arrested and charged with murder for the killings of his 50-year-old sister-in-law Michelle Marie Wright and his 11-year-old daughter Shariah Manigo.

He has also been charged with attempted murder of the surviving victim. Deputies said additional charges are pending based on the victims’ autopsies.

“These two victims were identified as being in the house and deceased by the witness from what was described as stab wounds,” Hill said.

Colleton County Sheriff Buddy Hill said the surviving victim, a 13-year-old, was able to provide the first name and description of Manigo and his vehicle.

Manigo was being held in the Colleton County Detention Center. He appeared Monday afternoon in front of a magistrate judge, who deferred his bond hearing to a circuit court judge because of the charges.

Curtis Magwood, a pastor and family member of the victims, spoke to WCSC about the incident.

“The unfortunate part about it is we can’t even identify them, so going beyond that part, the last time we saw them was the last time that we’ll ever see them. So, that’s something we have to live with, and that’s the most hurtful part of the whole thing,” he said.

Magwood also said the family members killed in the incident left remarkable impacts in and around their communities.

Agents from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division’s Arson Unit, Crime Scene Unit and Special Victim’s Unit are assisting with the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office at 843-549-2211.

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