ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. – Anderson County deputies say a body was discovered in a well Saturday around 5:40 p.m.
The body was identified as Patricia Ann Freeman, 57, who was reported missing on Feb. 6 by her brother.
An additional report from the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office says Perry Thomas Pruitt, 54 the owner of the property that the body was found on, was arrested Sunday on charges of unauthorized removal of a dead body.
Investigators say Pruitt is the sole owner of the well and that the body had been moved, placed in the well, and then a cover was put back on and locked.
According to Anderson County Coroner Greg Shore, the body was located 40 feet below ground inside a residential well on Boseman Road.
Shore believes the body may have been in the well for several months.
Freeman’s brother told investigators he had not seen his sister since Sept. 8, 2014 and was concerned for her safety.
Wilma Groves says she and others had been searching for answers regarding their friend’s disappearance.
“At least now, I don’t have that uneasy feeling, like I don’t know where she is, what happened and are we ever going to find any evidence? But we got the proof today,” Groves said.
Members of the Anderson Fire Department’s Technical Rescue Team and the Rock Springs Fire Department assisted in recovering the body.
Shore says investigators were tipped off by neighbors who complained about the taste of their water.
Deputies say no criminal charges have been made at this time.
The autopsy performed on Sunday has been determined inconclusive, so the body will be sent to SLED for toxicology results.
The case remains under investigation.