LEXINGTON, S.C. – Lexington County deputies have arrested one man and are actively searching for another in connection with the killing of a man whose body was discovered by firefighters inside a burning home last month.
Edward Leroy Smith, a 39-year-old resident of Winnsboro, was taken into custody Tuesday night. He is currently being held in the Lexington County Detention Center after being denied bond by a magistrate judge on Wednesday morning.
Smith faces charges of murder for the stabbing death of Caldwell Melton Motley Jr., according to arrest warrants. He is also charged with attempted murder related to the stabbing of another man who was found injured inside a detached garage near the burned home on July 23 in the 200 block of Oak Ridge Lane.
Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon announced that Donovan Ryan Holman, a 33-year-old resident of Lexington, is wanted on charges related to the same case.
“Through their investigation, detectives determined that Smith stabbed Mr. Motley to death,” Koon said. “Detectives also found that Smith seriously injured another man at the scene by striking him with an edged object. Victim and witness interviews, along with evidence and electronic data, place Smith at the Oak Ridge Lane scene shortly before a 911 call was made reporting smoke coming from the house.”
Sheriff Koon urged anyone with information on Holman’s whereabouts to come forward. “We encourage anyone who might have a tip on where Holman might be to let us know by using the Midlands Crimestoppers mobile app. You will remain anonymous, and if your tip leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward,” Koon added.