Found Deceased SC - Celia Sweeney, 28, Charleston, Feb 2020 *arrest*

[oviedo]

I think there needs to be a chart drawn on this one - I’m still catching up but it isn’t making a lot of sense for me yet - terrible loss of a vibrant young woman for sure
JMO

 

[JudgeJoe]

I think there needs to be a chart drawn on this one - I’m still catching up but it isn’t making a lot of sense for me yet - terrible loss of a vibrant young woman for sure
JMO

I’ve been following from the start & I need a chart too! The part that is unclear is how did CS know BC & W to the degree they were staying at her home? Was she doing it as a favor to her boyfriend or girlfriend? Apparently the 2 men were in town for a funeral & too cheap to stay at a motel? CS clearly didn’t feel comfortable with them, yet they were IN HER HOME. Ugh!

I wish she could have gone somewhere else for the night after ditching them in that bar. Reminds me of the MT case where she warned her killer that she’d call the police if he didn’t leave her alone. So he bashed her head in. I think the natural tendency is to resolve a situation simply on your own, but in reality, GET OUT, GET AWAY & GET HELP. Even if it seems silly or exaggerated. Trust your instincts. Gift of fear... jmvho

 

[DropthePuck]

I’ve been following from the start & I need a chart too! The part that is unclear is how did CS know BC & W to the degree they were staying at her home? Was she doing it as a favor to her boyfriend or girlfriend? Apparently the 2 men were in town for a funeral & too cheap to stay at a motel? CS clearly didn’t feel comfortable with them, yet they were IN HER HOME. Ugh!

I wish she could have gone somewhere else for the night after ditching them in that bar. Reminds me of the MT case where she warned her killer that she’d call the police if he didn’t leave her alone. So he bashed her head in. I think the natural tendency is to resolve a situation simply on your own, but in reality, GET OUT, GET AWAY & GET HELP. Even if it seems silly or exaggerated. Trust your instincts. Gift of fear... jmvho

The downside of using initials...who is MT???? It's hard to remember who initials belong to when they aren't a part of the case being discussed.

 

[JudgeJoe]

The downside of using initials...who is MT???? It's hard to remember who initials belong to when they aren't a part of the case being discussed.

Mollie Tibbetts. Cases very different, but instincts the same. Results the same- blunt force trauma cod.

 

[DWatson]

Another - Reverse Carr and Walton's roles. Walton heroically kills Carr but tragically it was too late to save Sweeney and then doesn't alert the authorities and fakes concern during the search for... uh... reasons?

I think this scenario would be the most likely, considering CS was allegedly friends with Walton first and had only "trusted" Carr because he was friends with Walton. Perhaps Walton didn't want to risk getting charged for Carr's murder even if it was an act to aid to Celia.

 

[DWatson]

Finally, we have names!

Not directed at you, Veragold, but please everyone, remember to use initials. And, we cannot sleuth the boyfriend or GS because they have not been named by LE as POI's or suspects. MOO

[...]

Authorities were first called to Sweeney’s apartment on Friday night after her boyfriend PS had entered the apartment to look for her and discovered a “significant amount of blood” inside the apartment but no sign of Sweeney.

[...]

While canvassing the area, police discovered that GS, a friend who lived in an adjacent building, had been out the previous night with Sweeney and two men, who were identified as Carr and Mark Walton.

The group had gone to multiple restaurants and bars and spent time in Sweeney’s apartment.

Carr, Walton and Sweeney returned to her apartment in the early morning hours on Friday, but GS was no longer with the group, according to the report.

[...]

Okay, SO. That article painted a clearer picture, yet we still have no idea what happened between the time that CS sent a message to PS saying that she 'was going to attempt to get BC out of her apt, to the time in which her neighbor saw an "unidentifiable man" and BC's truck pulling into CS apt complex parking lot. Meaning that nobody had witnessed her car leaving her apt, just returning with a strange man driving it. Is this accurate?

 

[anon2727]

I made an attempt at putting together a timeline, based on information found in news and affidavit. There are a few holes, maybe someone else can put together a more detailed one, but here is a starting point.

Thursday February 27th
?? CW, MW, BC, + GS visit multiple bars/restaurants in Charleston area?

Friday February 28th
Before 3:00am CW leaves the bar by herself, according to bartender
3:00am (approx.) Final text sent from CW's phone "indicated that she would attempt to remove Carr from her apartment"
10:45am BC's truck is seen in West Ashley area on I-526, black container store in bed of truck visible
11:30am CW cellphone was pinged to "general area of her apartment"
*Afternoon (exact time unknown) BC and MW purchase supplies at Lowes in the Charleston area
6:00pm Audi pulled into parking lot of apartment complex *also reported as 6:00am in some articles
8:52pm Welfare check CW apartment Charleston per boyfriend's request

Saturday February 29th
?? CW's Audi found abandoned 0.5 miles from CW's apartment complex

Monday March 2nd
?? CW and BC bodies discovered at BC's residence in Inman

Wednesday March 4th
?? MW charged with accessory after the fact

 

[PommyMommy]

I made an attempt at putting together a timeline, based on information found in news and affidavit. There are a few holes, maybe someone else can put together a more detailed one, but here is a starting point.

Thursday February 27th
?? CW, MW, BC, + GS visit multiple bars/restaurants in Charleston area?

Friday February 28th
Before 3:00am CW leaves the bar by herself, according to bartender
3:00am (approx.) Final text sent from CW's phone "indicated that she would attempt to remove Carr from her apartment"
10:45am BC's truck is seen in West Ashley area on I-526, black container store in bed of truck visible
11:30am CW cellphone was pinged to "general area of her apartment"
*Afternoon (exact time unknown) BC and MW purchase supplies at Lowes in the Charleston area
6:00pm Audi pulled into parking lot of apartment complex *also reported as 6:00am in some articles
8:52pm Welfare check CW apartment Charleston per boyfriend's request

Saturday February 29th
?? CW's Audi found abandoned 0.5 miles from CW's apartment complex

Monday March 2nd
?? CW and BC bodies discovered at BC's residence in Inman

Wednesday March 4th
?? MW charged with accessory after the fact

Thank you so much for doing this. I have been trying to put one together too and this was just the nudge I needed.

I'm going with 6:00 a.m. for the witness account(s) of the Audi/truck and it's still not clear to me whether or not that occurred at the apartment complex. That the car was found a half-mile away throws me...

I'm also not convinced that the Home Depot purchases were made in the afternoon as most articles state. How is that possible when the tote was seen on the ALPR at 10:45 a.m?

It would be so helpful to see the actual affidavit. Let's hope that happens soon. MOO

 

[PommyMommy]

Okay, SO. That article painted a clearer picture, yet we still have no idea what happened between the time that CS sent a message to PS saying that she 'was going to attempt to get BC out of her apt, to the time in which her neighbor saw an "unidentifiable man" and BC's truck pulling into CS apt complex parking lot. Meaning that nobody had witnessed her car leaving her apt, just returning with a strange man driving it. Is this accurate?

I may have missed it, but I haven't seen a report that states that the witnesses saw the truck and Audi pulling into the apartment complex parking lot. I wish we could get clarification on that. In the article below, it reads as though the witnesses were at/near the location the car was found. MOO

Murder-suicide suspect's friend accused of helping hide missing Charleston woman's body
Sweeney’s missing Audi S5 was later found about a half-mile away from her apartment. Witnesses in the area described the car being driven by an “unknown party” around 6 a.m. with a white Ford F-150 following behind.

 

[PommyMommy]

Here's my long-winded version , and it should definitely be considered a work in progress until we receive clarification on some of this stuff. MOO

Thursday, February 27

• Unknown time - Camera footage shows Carr’s truck coming into Charleston with no black container in the back.

Thurs night, Feb 27 - Fri morning, Feb 28

• GS, a friend who lived in an adjacent building, had been out the previous night with CS, BC, and MW to multiple restaurants and bars.
  
• CS told the bartender that she had brought Carr and two friends to the bar to get them out of her home. The bartender said that Carr was visibly intoxicated and she refused to serve him. CS left the bar by herself and appeared sober.

Friday, February 28

• Early morning hours
  • CS’s vehicle was last seen in the area of 1001 Westchase Drive in Charleston in the early morning hours of Feb 28.
  • CS and some of the group returned to the apt.
  • GS was no longer with the group.
  • Walton was allegedly “in and out” of the apt over the next two hours.
• Just prior to 3 a.m. - CS’s phone records showed frustration about an individual being left alone in her home. She sent a final text message which indicated that she would attempt to remove Carr from her apt. Multiple calls were made to CS’s phone after this point in time, but none of them were answered.
• Around 6 a.m. – Witnesses in the area described the car being driven by an “unknown party” with a white Ford F-150 following behind. They quickly pulled into the parking lot and the driver got out of the Audi and got into the truck before the truck drove off. (Some reports state that this occurred at 6 p.m.) The car was later found ½ mile from the apt.
• Between 6 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. - A 45-gallon Husky container was purchased at Home Depot, and store surveillance video footage showed Walton was present for that purchase. (Some reports state that this purchase was made in the afternoon, but the ALPR camera shows the Husky tote in the truck at 10:45 a.m.) The purchase was made at the Charleston location, which opens at 6 a.m., and the debit card used belonged to Carr.
• 10:45 a.m. – ALPR shows Carr’s truck being driven into the West Ashley area on I-526 with a large black container stored in the bed of the truck.
• 11:30 a.m. – A ping showed the last known location of CS’s phone was “in the general area of her apartment.”
• Afternoon - A Home Depot receipt shows cleaning materials and multiple bags of concrete were purchased. (Some reports state that the second trip to the store was for the Husky tote which, if true, means this purchase was in the a.m.)
• Time unknown - BC’s neighbor saw his truck parked in his backyard.
• Prior to 8:52 p.m. - PS drove to CS’s apt from his home in Lexington after he had been unable to reach her via phone or text message all day.
• 8:52 p.m. - Police were dispatched at PS’s request to conduct a welfare check and obtained a search warrant for the apt. Investigators concluded that someone had sustained fatal injuries, there were signs of a struggle, and bloody bootprints on the floor. A single-fired gun cartridge casing was found in the living room of the apartment.

Saturday, February 29

• Late Saturday night - SC’s vehicle was found, approximately a half-mile away. Investigators said they then identified BC, a person of interest in the case who lived in Spartanburg (Inman). SCSO went to BC’s residence but no one answered the door.

Monday, March 2, 2020

• Approx 11 a.m. - Investigators went to BC’s house on O’Henry Drive in Spartanburg (Inman). A search warrant was executed and Carr was found dead in the home from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Detectives located a “Husky” container in the woods which contained CS’s body, about 20 yards away from the truck. Inside the truck was a claw hammer with a red color substance that tested presumptive for blood. Latex gloves, concrete bags, and camouflage nylon straps were also found in the truck.

Wed, March 4, 2020

• CPD announced the arrest of Walton who is charged with accessory after the fact of murder; bond set at $500,000.

MAP: 704 O’Henry Drive, Inman SC to 1001 Westchase Dr, Charleston, SC

 

[MJ09]

I’m interested in the statement that MW was “in and out” of the apt for hours. Where was he going? Where was GS? Also interesting that they did not find CS’s cell phone..

 

[JudgeJoe]

Here's my long-winded version , and it should definitely be considered a work in progress until we receive clarification on some of this stuff. MOO

Thursday, February 27

• Unknown time - Camera footage shows Carr’s truck coming into Charleston with no black container in the back.

Thurs night, Feb 27 - Fri morning, Feb 28

• GS, a friend who lived in an adjacent building, had been out the previous night with CS, BC, and MW to multiple restaurants and bars.
  
• CS told the bartender that she had brought Carr and two friends to the bar to get them out of her home. The bartender said that Carr was visibly intoxicated and she refused to serve him. CS left the bar by herself and appeared sober.

Friday, February 28

• Early morning hours
  • CS’s vehicle was last seen in the area of 1001 Westchase Drive in Charleston in the early morning hours of Feb 28.
  • CS and some of the group returned to the apt.
  • GS was no longer with the group.
  • Walton was allegedly “in and out” of the apt over the next two hours.
• Just prior to 3 a.m. - CS’s phone records showed frustration about an individual being left alone in her home. She sent a final text message which indicated that she would attempt to remove Carr from her apt. Multiple calls were made to CS’s phone after this point in time, but none of them were answered.
• Around 6 a.m. – Witnesses in the area described the car being driven by an “unknown party” with a white Ford F-150 following behind. They quickly pulled into the parking lot and the driver got out of the Audi and got into the truck before the truck drove off. (Some reports state that this occurred at 6 p.m.) The car was later found ½ mile from the apt.
• Between 6 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. - A 45-gallon Husky container was purchased at Home Depot, and store surveillance video footage showed Walton was present for that purchase. (Some reports state that this purchase was made in the afternoon, but the ALPR camera shows the Husky tote in the truck at 10:45 a.m.) The purchase was made at the Charleston location, which opens at 6 a.m., and the debit card used belonged to Carr.
• 10:45 a.m. – ALPR shows Carr’s truck being driven into the West Ashley area on I-526 with a large black container stored in the bed of the truck.
• 11:30 a.m. – A ping showed the last known location of CS’s phone was “in the general area of her apartment.”
• Afternoon - A Home Depot receipt shows cleaning materials and multiple bags of concrete were purchased. (Some reports state that the second trip to the store was for the Husky tote which, if true, means this purchase was in the a.m.)
• Time unknown - BC’s neighbor saw his truck parked in his backyard.
• Prior to 8:52 p.m. - PS drove to CS’s apt from his home in Lexington after he had been unable to reach her via phone or text message all day.
• 8:52 p.m. - Police were dispatched at PS’s request to conduct a welfare check and obtained a search warrant for the apt. Investigators concluded that someone had sustained fatal injuries, there were signs of a struggle, and bloody bootprints on the floor. A single-fired gun cartridge casing was found in the living room of the apartment.

Saturday, February 29

• Late Saturday night - SC’s vehicle was found, approximately a half-mile away. Investigators said they then identified BC, a person of interest in the case who lived in Spartanburg (Inman). SCSO went to BC’s residence but no one answered the door.

Monday, March 2, 2020

• Approx 11 a.m. - Investigators went to BC’s house on O’Henry Drive in Spartanburg (Inman). A search warrant was executed and Carr was found dead in the home from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Detectives located a “Husky” container in the woods which contained CS’s body, about 20 yards away from the truck. Inside the truck was a claw hammer with a red color substance that tested presumptive for blood. Latex gloves, concrete bags, and camouflage nylon straps were also found in the truck.

Wed, March 4, 2020

• CPD announced the arrest of Walton who is charged with accessory after the fact of murder; bond set at $500,000.

MAP: 704 O’Henry Drive, Inman SC to 1001 Westchase Dr, Charleston, SC

Wow! That helps- thank you! The details of this one- so tangled. Still want to know how CS knew Walton or Carr? Some have guessed she knew Walton only & allowed him to bring Carr. But to stay at her house? Not victim blaming, just flabbergasted an act of generosity got her killed.

 

[anon2727]

Thank you PommyMommy. You did an excellent job on that timeline! I appreciate your effort and attention to detail

 

[MJ09]

Wow! That helps- thank you! The details of this one- so tangled. Still want to know how CS knew Walton or Carr? Some have guessed she knew Walton only & allowed him to bring Carr. But to stay at her house? Not victim blaming, just flabbergasted an act of generosity got her killed.

If I am following everything correctly, GS is a neighbor/friend and dating MW. BC was MWs friend. Where my confusion comes in is why they wouldn’t have been staying at GS if she lived right there? Especially where it sounds as though CS did not want them there

 

[JudgeJoe]

If I am following everything correctly, GS is a neighbor/friend and dating MW. BC was MWs friend. Where my confusion comes in is why they wouldn’t have been staying at GS if she lived right there? Especially where it sounds as though CS did not want them there

Oh- missed that, thanks! And GREAT question. I’d love to know that answer as well.

 

[KatzEye]

To add further confusion, MW's booking address is listed as Goose Creek, SC, which is about a 30 min. drive from Charleston. Why not stay at MW's place if one or both were not welcome at Celia's (or possibly GS's) ?

Public Index Error

I will add that I'm a little skeptical of the Goose Creek address, as I can't find verification in whitepages or elsewhere. JMOO

G-Maps - from Charleston to Goose Creek :

خرائط ‪Google‬‏‏

 

[3Boys' Mama]

If I am following everything correctly, GS is a neighbor/friend and dating MW. BC was MWs friend. Where my confusion comes in is why they wouldn’t have been staying at GS if she lived right there? Especially where it sounds as though CS did not want them there

They probably were supposed to be staying with GS, which is why Celia was so annoyed with them being at her place and not leaving. They likely “stopped by to hang out” after leaving the bars and wouldn’t leave. Drunk people aren’t usually good at reading cues that you’re ready for them to go. GS lived in the same complex, perhaps MW was going in and out to the apartment to retrieve more alcohol or party supplies.

 

[bwt42]

If I am following everything correctly, GS is a neighbor/friend and dating MW. BC was MWs friend. Where my confusion comes in is why they wouldn’t have been staying at GS if she lived right there? Especially where it sounds as though CS did not want them there

I have seen nothing that said GS was dating MW. However, at MW bond hearing CS mom hinted that CS knew MW. The audio was very low & hard to hear. It sounded like her mom was blaming MW for bringing BC into the situation.

 

[MJ09]

Has there been any further details regarding the single shell casing found at the scene?

 

[chimpface]

Patiently awaiting a further arrest.