South Carolina's 34-Year Cold Case: Parents Arrested for 5-Year-Old Son's 1989 Murder

south carolina 34-year cold case parents arrested 5 year old boy child murder Justin Turner

By E.Baloyo , Parent Herald Jan 14, 03:15 am

Photo: (Photo : ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / Getty Images)

South Carolina's 34-year cold case is now closed as the parents of the 5-year-old boy, Justin Turner, are now charged with child murder.

South Carolina law enforcement officials have announced the arrest of the father and stepmother of the child in connection to the child murder in 1989. This significant breakthrough in the 34-year cold case has brought a new focus on a tragic story that has lingered in the memories of the local community.

South Carolina Arrest that Shook a Community

Victor Lee Turner, 69, and Megan R. Turner, 63, were apprehended at their Cross Hill residence, more than three decades after the mysterious disappearance and subsequent murder of their young son.

Their arrest marks a pivotal turn in a 34-year cold case that has haunted South Carolina, bringing a ray of hope for justice in a case that seemed destined to remain unsolved. The couple is detained at Hill-Finklea Detention Center in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, and is currently facing charges and awaiting legal proceedings.

The 5-year-old boy, Justin Turner, was found near his parent's home in a camper and the investigations and court documents back then revealed that the boy had been asphyxiated.

Sheriff Duane Lewis stated that he recently suspected the couple since they only portrayed very little interest in the investigation into the death of their own son even before up until the review started in 2021. Lewis added that throughout the investigation, he never got one phone call from the father and stepmother about their 5-year-old son's death.

According to the documents, Megan Turner said to the witness that she had an argument with the victim before he was last seen. Turner was also noted to have provided inconsistent details and misinformation about her whereabouts during the authorities' time frame for the murder.

The progress in this long-standing case can be attributed to advancements in forensic technology. Investigators, citing a forensic examination of evidence, believe Justin was fatally strangled with a ligature "a short time after consuming his last meal" on March 2, 1989.

Investigators were able to match a ligature to the shirt collar of the 5-year-old victim, Justin Turner, a critical piece of evidence that pointed directly to the boy's parents.

Despite the initial charge against Megan Turner, then known as Pamela K. Turner, the case had previously been withdrawn, leaving it unsolved for years. However, the persistence of law enforcement and the evolution of forensic science have finally shed light on the circumstances surrounding the child murder, leading to the recent arrests.

A Community's Journey from Grief to Closure

Amy Parsons, Justin's cousin who was just eight years old at the time of his tragic death, has been a persistent voice in keeping the memory of the case alive within their family, Sheriff Lewis noted.

Speaking at the recent news conference, Parsons shared her relief at the long-awaited closure of the case. However, she also expressed that the couple did not deserve the 34 years of freedom, as investigation have proven that they killed him, candidly stating that they do not deserve another day.

The arrest of Justin Turner's parents not only serves as a testament to the relentless pursuit of justice but also brings a sense of closure to a community that has been gripped by this tragedy for over three decades.

The impact of this child murder resonated deeply within the small community, marking a loss of innocence and a lingering sense of injustice.

The case's closure, while bringing relief to many, also underscores the profound loss and the unfulfilled potential of a young life that was brutally cut short.

As the legal process unfolds for the arrested parents, this case serves as a stark reminder of the enduring impact of unresolved crimes and the importance of perseverance in seeking the truth.