BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. – A 32-year-old cold case involving the disappearance and murder of a 5-year-old boy has taken a major turn, with the arrest of the boy’s father and stepmother. Victor Lee Turner, 69, and Megan R. Turner, 63, have been charged with the murder of Justin Lee Turner, and were taken into custody at their residence in Cross Hill, South Carolina.
The young boy’s body was discovered in a camper next to the couple’s home, and it was determined that he had been asphyxiated, according to statements and court documents from the sheriff’s office. The authorities, citing forensic evidence, believe that the boy was fatally strangled shortly after consuming his last meal on March 2, 1989. Evolving DNA and forensic evidence technology played a crucial role in linking the suspects to the crime.
Megan Turner, who was formerly known as Pamela K. Turner, had been previously charged in the case, but the complaint was withdrawn, leaving the door open for future prosecution. Investigators also revealed that the suspects had shown little interest in the investigation, which raised suspicions.
The arrest of the Turners has brought a long-awaited sense of closure to the case, which has deeply affected the small, close-knit community. A cousin of the victim, who had kept the case alive for the past 32 years, expressed gratitude for the resolution, while also emphasizing that the Turners should not have been free for so long.
The heinous murder of 5-year-old Justin Lee Turner has left a lasting impact on the community, as they reflect on the life that was taken away so tragically. The Turners now face the long overdue consequences for their alleged involvement in the young boy’s death.