BCDC officials calling death a suicide
By Mike McCombs
The Island News
Just as it appeared the Beaufort Police Department may have played a part in shining some light on a 35-year-old unsolved murder case in Michigan, the case took another dark turn over the weekend.
On Saturday, May 6, an inmate in the Beaufort County Detention Center (BCDC) died by what authorities are calling suicide. According to a release from Beaufort County, the inmate was found unresponsive in his cell by corrections officers during a routine check. Despite immediate efforts to revive the inmate, he were pronounced dead at the scene.
The inmate was identified by Beaufort County Deputy Coroner Debbie Youmans as 53-year-old Robert Odell Waters of Beaufort.
“It is an ongoing investigation, and any other information will be released by law enforcement,” Youmans said.
As is standard procedure in cases involving the death of an inmate in custody, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is in charge of the investigation. Beaufort County Clerk of Council Sarah Brock, charged with media requests related to this case, wasn’t immediately available for comment Tuesday afternoon.
Waters was in custody as a result of a warrant relating to the 1988 murder of 19-year-old Cathy Swartz in Three Rivers, Mich. The Beaufort Police Department’s Investigations Division worked with the Three Rivers Police Department and Michigan State Police to assist with Waters’ arrest.
According to the Detroit News, citing police, Swartz was beaten, stabbed and strangled in her apartment while her then-9-month-old daughter, Courtney, was in the next room. Swartz fought back but succumbed to her injuries.
Rcently, Three Rivers Police made the cold case one it’s priorities. Using forensic genetic genealogy, analysts narrowed investigators’ suspect pool to a single family and eventually to Robert Waters.
According to the newspaper, Three Rivers “detectives traveled to South Carolina to speak with Waters. After their interview, they obtained an arrest warrant for the suspect.”
“If you have lived in TR for any amount of time you have probably heard about Cathy Swartz’s murder in 1988. We are pleased to announce that an arrest was made!” the Three Rivers Police Department posted to Facebook after Waters’ arrest. “A special thank you to the Officers and Detectives at the City of Beaufort Police Department – we appreciate your help and hospitality!”
“Although we were a small part in this investigation, we are honored to have been a part of the apprehension” Beaufort Police Chief Dale McDorman said at the time.
After Waters’ death, Three Rivers Police Chief R. Scott Boling was more measured.
“On Saturday, 5/6/2023, Three Rivers Police Department was notified that Robert Odell Waters was found deceased in his jail cell in Beaufort County Detention Center,” Boling wrote. “The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) was requested to conduct the in-custody death investigation. This is an ongoing investigation, and the Three Rivers Police Department is waiting for the results from the Coroner’s Office before making a statement to the media later this week.”
While Waters may have been the primary suspect and arrested in connection with Swartz’s death, the law views him as innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
In the County’s statement about Waters’ death, Beaufort County Administrator Eric Greenway expressed his condolences to his family and friends.
“Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of the deceased inmate during this difficult time,” Greenway said. “We are cooperating fully with SLED’s investigation and are committed to ensuring that our Detention Center continues to provide a safe environment for its inmates.”
Assistant County Administrator of Public Safety John Robinson also issued a statement.
“The Beaufort County Detention Center takes the well-being of its inmates seriously,” Robinson said. “We are deeply saddened by this tragic event and have worked closely with SLED to determine the cause of the incident.”
According to the County’s release, it is providing grief counseling to the staff who were involved with the incident and has encouraged staff to contact the Beaufort County Director of Wellness for any assistance they may need.
The Beaufort County Detention Center is a 326-bed facility that houses both pre-trial detainees and convicted offenders. The facility is accredited by the American Correctional Association and adheres to strict standards for the care and treatment of inmates.
Mike McCombs is the Editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.
