A man has been indicted in the killings of an elderly Polk County couple who were found dead in their burned home in May.
District Attorney Andrew Murray confirmed Tuesday, June 9, that a grand jury indicted Christopher Shane Turner, 42, on two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of Robert and Wendy Peck of Saluda. Both victims were 80.
Court records also confirmed the grand jury indicted Turner on an arson charge related to the Pecks’ home.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office held a news conference on June 9 to announce the indictment of Turner.
"Over the past two weeks, the Polk County detectives, along with the Henderson County Sheriff's Office and the State Bureau of Investigation have worked tirelessly to track down the individual responsible. Today, I'm proud to announce we have charged a suspect in this case," Polk Sheriff Tim Wright said. "Christopher Shane Turner, 42 years old, from Spartanburg, South Carolina, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, along with an additional charge of first-degree arson."
Court records show Turner faces additional charges of larceny of a motor vehicle and possession of a firearm. Murray said the motor vehicle larceny charge was not part of Monday’s grand jury indictment.
A source close to the investigation confirmed Turner was already in custody at the time of Monday’s double-murder indictments by a Polk County grand jury.
'News 13 has confirmed that deputies with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, who investigated the killings, presented their findings to the grand jury that returned the indictment.
Turner is due in Polk County court Tuesday for an initial appearance following his grand jury indictment.
Randy Smith, a neighbor who owns property next to the Pecks’ home, previously said deputies and investigators returned to the property with search dogs. Smith said one of the deputies told him they were searching for evidence.
Emergency responders were called to the Pecks’ home the night of May 24 at approximately 8:30 p.m. for a house fire, where the couple was found dead inside. Four days later, the Polk County Sheriff's Office announced on Facebook that the couple had been victims of homicide but didn't provide a cause of death.
The Pecks were well known in the community. Married for more than 50 years, they were credited with starting a free meal program in Saluda and were active in area schools through reading programs for elementary students.
STORY COURTESY OF WLOS-TV13
