A man in South Carolina has been taken into custody and faces murder charges after his roommate’s remains were found buried beneath a firepit earlier this summer.

Penni Whiteside had been missing for over two years when police searched her Myrtle Beach home in June and uncovered her remains. She was 51 at the time of her last sighting in the spring of 2022, according to the Myrtle Beach Police Department.

On Thursday, law enforcement arrested 54-year-old Sheridan Dirk Fogle, who shared the residence with Whiteside. Fogle is now charged with murder related to her death.

Penni Whiteside was reported missing in May 2022

According to her Facebook profile, Whiteside had been planning to relocate from Surfside Beach to Myrtle Beach as far back as April 2021.

By May 2022, she was reported missing, which initiated an investigation by Myrtle Beach police. A listing that is now no longer accessible on the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System indicated that the last communication with her occurred on January 3, 2022.

Whiteside’s case remained unsolved for more than two years until neighbors informed authorities about the possibility of her being buried under the firepit at the property she shared with Fogle. Following this tip, investigators received a search warrant on June 12, leading to the discovery of human remains, as reported by the police.

On Thursday, the Horry County Coroner’s Office confirmed that the remains belonged to Whiteside. That same day, Fogle was apprehended in Orangeburg, a town in South Carolina located approximately 140 miles from Myrtle Beach.

Authorities characterized Whiteside’s death as “a tragic loss of life and a senseless act of violence,” urging the community to “continue to pray for her family and friends.”

Details about Whiteside’s cause of death remain unclear

Chief Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard stated to YSL News on Monday that authorities have yet to disclose the cause or manner of Whiteside’s death.

It is still unknown whether law enforcement has established a motive for her murder.

YSL News contacted Myrtle Beach police on Monday morning, but the inquiry has not received a response.

Fogle had a court appearance on Friday where a judge ruled against granting him bail, according to WPDE-TV. His next court date is scheduled for October 25.

Residents expressed their astonishment regarding Whiteside’s death when interviewed by WMBF-TV.

“There are kids playing in the park daily, celebrating birthdays, and hosting weddings,” remarked Nikolai Zaitsev. “I believe no one around here had any idea of the distressing events occurring.”