South Carolina: Murder investigations as 6 found dead, 1 hurt after house fire breakout

Six people were found dead after a South Carolina house fire and authorities said they charged a man with the attempted murder of the lone survivor of the Sunday morning blaze. Agencies responded to a house fire on Folly Creek Lane in the Green Pond community around 11:00 a.m. Sunday after a neighbor reported seeing the home on fire, according to Colleton County Fire Rescue.

Fire Rescue officials said the roof had already collapsed on one end and fire was visible from the remaining roof and several windows when crews arrived.

Ryan Lenard Manigo, aged 33, has been charged with two counts of murder and an additional charge of attempted murder of the lone survivor of the fire, a 13-year old. The suspect was charged with two counts of murder and an additional charge of attempted murder of the lone survivor of the fire, a 13-year-old, 14th Circuit Solicitor Duffie Stone announced at a press conference Monday. Stone identified the 11-year-old as Shariah Manigo and the second murder victim as Manigo’s sister-in-law, Michelle Marie Wright, 50.

The other four victims who died in the fire are pending identification through autopsy, officials said. Manigo may face additional charges depending on the autopsy results, the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office previously said. Arson investigators from the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division are assisting with the case, the sheriff’s office said.

6 people dead after house fire in South Carolina

1 of 6 people found dead in South Carolina house fire was 11-year-old daughter of murder suspect

The suspect in the investigation of a South Carolina house fire where six people were found dead was charged with the murder of his 11-year-old daughter, the prosecutor’s office announced Monday.

The juvenile who survived the fire was found outside the home with cuts and stab wounds, Hill told reporters Monday. The child, who was not identified, was able to give the suspect’s first name and was airlifted to a hospital for treatment and Manigo was arrested near the residence, the sheriff said.

“The evidence collected has been sent to the State Law Enforcement Division for analysis,” Hill said. “At this time, we do not have a motive. This is a very active investigation and, as details emerge, we will forward them to the family and the media.”

During a bond hearing Monday afternoon, three members of the victims’ family shared sharp words for Manigo as they spoke directly to the man accused in the killings.

“I want Ryan to know that he’ll never be forgiven,” said one family member. “When you did, you hurt us- you took away our matriarch of our family. Someone who took you in and fed you just as her own. I just wish you get the worse charges ever. I really wish you death. I wish they give you the death penalty. What you did is brought death to us … thank God one got away to be able to tell us what actually happened in that house. We hate you.”

“I just want to know why,” added another. “What was your motive? … I hope that you will get what you deserve if you are found totally guilty of all the charges that are brought against you. You’re talking about six lives and the seventh got away to tell us what happened.”

Manigo was denied bond.