SC SC - Willis "Benjay" Frierson, 64, family suspects foul play, Bishopville, 30 Apr 2023

[Unalienable Rights]

Bishopville man missing more than a month; family suspects foul play

Over a month since a Bishopville man went missing, and law enforcement and the man's family are still working to locate him.Frierson's family pleading with anyo

wach.com

BISHOPVILLE, S.C. (WACH) — Over a month since a Bishopville man went missing, law enforcement and the man's family are still working to locate him.

The Shell Gas Station on Main Street in Bishopville was one of the last places 64-year-old Willis Frierson, more commonly known as "Benji", was last seen and the family says things aren't adding up.

"I feel like it must be foul play because he wouldn’t just walk off," said one of Benji's sons Marquez Cain.

Cain and his brother, Jarrick Cain, say their father was last seen making his usual stops downtown on April 30. On May 3, Bishopville Police issued a missing person flyer.

"It's just kind of strange that when he was reported missing none of his immediate family members were notified and that was just kind of a red flag for me personally," said Cain.

Police tell the family there was an incident between Frierson and a friend where they had to escort him out of the friend’s home before his disappearance.

However, the next day, Bishopville Chief of Police James Dillinger says Frierson was back to his routine.

"He had a pretty normal routine he walked a lot, he visited stores here on a regular basis, made regular purchases, and then just after the first he made no contact with any of his stores or his regular behaviors," said Chief Dillinger.

Benji's sons say their father didn't suffer from any significant health issues that could lead to his disappearance.

The Bishopville Police Department has been using planes, ATVs, drones, and cadaver dogs in the search.

The Cain brothers say rumors or information travel quickly through their small town, but over the past month, they’ve heard nothing.

"He was a happy go-lucky fella. He was a stranger to nobody," said Marquez Cain.

They are pleading with anyone who may know something to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to call the Bishopville PD at 803-484-5309 or call 911.

 

[Unalienable Rights]

NamUs:

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

There's additional information on NamUs.

Circumstances of Disappearance
Frierson was reported missing by his girlfriend. He was spotted several times walking in the City of Bishopville on May 1, 2023. He has not contacted any family. He left his vehicle and wallet at his Girlfriends house.

 

[CastlesBurning]

Still missing...

Bishopville PD search for missing 64 year-old man - ABC Columbia

 

[Unalienable Rights]

Bishopville family begging for answers about their missing father

Willis 'Benji' Frierson was last seen on April 30.

www.wltx.com

BISHOPVILLE, S.C. — A family is begging for help to find 64-year-old Willis Frierson, known as "Benji," who's been missing from Bishopville for over three months.

"It's very concerning," Frierson's son Marquez Cain said.
Marquez and his brother Jarrick Cain are pleading for more information about their father's disappearance.

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"The last time he was seen was that Monday morning, walking in the area of Church Street," Bishopville Police Department Chief JD Dellinger said.

Dellinger said they've had no contact from him or leads in the investigation.

The department and the family have hung up large banners downtown, hoping someone will talk or recognize him.

"The community, normally when someone big like this happens, there's are a lot of rumors, maybe some with validity to it. But right now, it's been very quiet," Cain said. "No one is saying anything, so that's been kinda mindboggling."

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[Unalienable Rights]

Search for missing Lee County man now going on 7 months

The family held a vigil to encourage continued search efforts.

www.wltx.com

BISHOPVILLE, S.C. — It's been seven months of searching for a missing man in Bishopville. We first brought you this story in April when Willis Frierson disappeared. On Saturday, his family held a prayer vigil, calling on the community and law enforcement for answers.

"Benjay with an a, not an I 'cause he didn't want to be referenced like the dog," Marquez Cain said.


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The family said that law enforcement does not have any leads. Community and family members, like Belinda Hay, still have questions; she said she's taking hers to a higher power.

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To encourage continued search efforts for Frierson, his family held a prayer vigil Saturday on the eve of his 65th birthday, Nov. 18.

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The family is offering a $3,000 reward for anyone who can provide a viable lead to what happened in Frierson's disappearance. Anyone with information that could help in this case should contact the Lee County Sheriff's Office.

 

[Ladyotm]

Bishopville is so small. I'm surprised no one has said anything at all.

Was the friend he got into it with his girlfriend? What was the argument about? Since he was friendly, would he have gotten into the car with someone who may have asked for directions? The Shell gas station, the small plaza next door, and the area right across the street are always busy with people. Had he left there with someone, surely someone would have seen him?

There's a building in the other side of the station that appears abandoned and has desks and old furniture on the porch. I wonder if that location is being used for anything and if it has been searched?

I'm praying Benjay is found safe and soon.

 

[Ladyotm]

I'm not sure if this related to Benjay. . A body has been found in Lee County.

Darlington Co. deputies on scene of body found in neighboring Lee County, coroner says

A body has been Saturday afternoon in Lee County, according to Lee County Coroner Larry Logan.

wpde.com

 

[Unalienable Rights]

I'm not sure if this related to Benjay. . A body has been found in Lee County.

Darlington Co. deputies on scene of body found in neighboring Lee County, coroner says

A body has been Saturday afternoon in Lee County, according to Lee County Coroner Larry Logan.

wpde.com

It isn't Benjay. The body has been identified as Tavaris Dolford from Darlington County.

Missing Darlington County man found dead in Lee County, officials say

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is assisting in the investigation.

www.wltx.com