Authorities in Sumter County, South Carolina, have identified the two women whose bodies were discovered Friday afternoon along a rural road in the Rembert area

Authorities in Sumter County, South Carolina, have identified the two women whose bodies were discovered Friday afternoon along a rural road in the Rembert area. The case is now being treated as a double homicide, and investigators are working to piece together the circumstances that led to their deaths.

According to Sumter County Coroner Robbie Baker, the victims have been identified as 35-year-old Christine Marie McAbee and 38-year-old Kristen Grissom, both residents of Charleston County. Their bodies were found shortly after 1 p.m. on Friday in a wooded area near Richbow Road, a quiet, rural stretch that is typically secluded and sees little traffic.

The grim discovery was made by an individual passing through the area, who quickly contacted law enforcement. Deputies with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene, where they confirmed the deaths and called in the coroner. Due to the suspicious nature of the scene, the case was immediately classified as a homicide investigation.

An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston to determine the official cause and manner of death for both women. Authorities have not yet disclosed details about possible injuries, the timeline of events, or whether the victims were killed at the scene or elsewhere.

The rural location of the discovery has added complexity to the investigation, as deputies work to canvass the area for evidence and potential witnesses. Investigators are also reviewing missing person reports, gathering surveillance footage from nearby roads, and interviewing individuals who may have had contact with McAbee or Grissom in the days leading up to their deaths.

While no suspects have been named publicly, law enforcement officials say they are pursuing “multiple leads” and are urging anyone with information to come forward. The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office is working closely with agencies in Charleston County, given that both victims were from that area, to trace their movements and connections.

The news has left both the Charleston and Sumter County communities shaken. Friends and family of the victims are reeling from the sudden loss, describing Christine and Kristen as loved and cherished individuals whose lives ended far too soon.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office at (803) 436-2000 or provide tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.

As the investigation unfolds, officials emphasize that no piece of information is too small, and community cooperation will be critical in bringing justice for Christine McAbee and Kristen Grissom.