North Augusta, SC — Tragedy struck a quiet community Thursday morning as an elderly couple was found deceased in a case that authorities are investigating as a murder-suicide. Aiken County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence on Walnut Court following a distressing phone call from a female claiming that a fatal shooting had occurred.
Upon arrival shortly before 10 a.m., law enforcement officers discovered the bodies of Kathy Hydrick, 67, and Keith Jones, 71, inside the house. The initial investigation indicated that Jones fatally shot Hydrick before turning the gun on himself. Hydrick was found in the kitchen with a gunshot wound, while Jones was located with what appeared to be a self-inflicted wound.
Coroner Darryl Ables confirmed that the pair were pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 12:05 p.m. An autopsy has been scheduled for Hydrick on Friday in Newberry to determine the exact cause of death. In contrast, no autopsy is planned for Jones at this time. The investigation remains ongoing, conducted jointly by the coroner’s office and the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office.
Prior to this tragic incident, Jones was identified as an ex-Marine and had been residing in the house formerly owned by his mother, Joyce Jones, who passed away just over a year ago on April 11, 2024. Property records indicate that the residence was still registered under his late mother’s name.
Community members have started to mourn Hydrick, particularly remembering her as a caring grandmother. Online tributes describe her as a loving figure who touched the lives of many. “So sorry you died this way Kathy. She was a loving caring grandmother and didn’t deserve this!!!” expressed Jennifer Hobday Steele, a friend of the deceased, in a heartfelt online message.
While this incident shocks the community of North Augusta, it also brings attention to broader issues related to elderly mental health and access to firearms. The motivations behind this tragic event are still under investigation, leaving a community in search of answers as they come to terms with this devastating loss.
Law enforcement continues to urge anyone with further information to come forward to assist with the ongoing investigation, hoping to piece together the events that led to this tragic outcome. In the meantime, the community holds onto memories of Hydrick, a woman cherished by her friends and family for her warmth and kindness.