COLUMBIA, S.C. — Agents with South Carolina Law Enforcement Division say on Thursday, October 22nd they arrested a Union County man in connection to the 1976 murder of Ann Wilson.
Investigators say Charles Coleman, 65, was charged with murder and rape in connection to the incident after a recent forensics breakthrough identified him through DNA in the case.
Wilson went missing on March 20th, 1976 during her shift working for the Eureka Plant of Spring Mills in Chester, according to a news release.
Police say her body and stolen car was found in Fairfield County near the intersection of Ashford Ferry Road and Dave Jenkins Road in Blair.
Detectives say she had been sexually assaulted, strangled, and beaten before her death.
SLED, the Chester County Sheriff’s Office, and the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office worked together for years to solve this case and bring closure to the Wilson family.
“Our Agents and forensics experts’ work hard and are dedicated to bringing justice to those who commit crimes against our citizens,” said SLED Chief Mark Keel. “Whether the crime was recent or happened more than 40 years ago, we will not stop in trying to solve the case. I appreciate the teamwork showed by everyone in helping bring closure to the Wilson family. ”
Coleman was booked at the Fairfield County Detention Center, and his case will be prosecuted by the 6th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
Anyone with further information in this case is asked to call SLED at 803-896-2605.
