The person at the center of this case
Shelton John Sanders
Homicide · Open - Unsolved
Shelton Sanders
Shelton John Sanders, a 25-year-old USC-Columbia student, disappeared on June 19, 2001, after being last seen at an Embassy Suites hotel in Columbia, SC with his former roommate Mark Richardson. Richardson was arrested and charged with murder in 2005 based on circumstantial evidence, including witness accounts of gunshots at his home, but was released after a mistrial in 2008. Sanders' remains have never been recovered, and the case remains unsolved despite a $50,000 reward offered by his family.
Columbia, South Carolina
🏛️ Richland County Sheriff's Department
Case Summary
Shelton John Sanders, a 25-year-old USC-Columbia student, disappeared on June 19, 2001, after being last seen at an Embassy Suites hotel in Columbia, SC with his former roommate Mark Richardson. Richardson was arrested and charged with murder in 2005 based on circumstantial evidence, including witness accounts of gunshots at his home, but was released after a mistrial in 2008. Sanders' remains have never been recovered, and the case remains unsolved despite a $50,000 reward offered by his family.
Timeline of Events
📞
2001-06-19
20:00-21:00Shelton calls family
Shelton calls his parents to inform them he will be leaving soon to return home to Rembert, SC
👁️
2001-06-19
21:30Last official sighting at Embassy Suites
Shelton and Mark Richardson visit Embassy Suites to reserve rooms for a bachelor party
📍
2001-06-19
23:00-23:30Shelton arrives at Mark's home
Shelton goes to Mark Richardson's home on Olympia Avenue
👥
2001-06-19
23:59Gunshots heard at Mark's home
Neighbor Friedna Wessinger hears three gunshots; Mark claims his car backfired
🕵️
2001-06-22
Shelton reported missing
Family reports Shelton missing to authorities three days after disappearance
📋
2003-04-26
Vehicle recovered
Shelton's white 1988 Oldsmobile Regency found at Greenbrier Apartment Complex
🕵️
2005-10-05
Mark Richardson arrested
Richardson arrested and charged with murder in connection to Shelton's disappearance
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Points of Interest / Key Leads
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Mark Richardson - former roommate, last person with Shelton, arrested in 2005, released after mistrial in 2008
👁️
witness
Lead #2Friedna Wessinger - neighbor who heard three gunshots from Mark's home on night of disappearance
🔍
evidence
Lead #3Shelton's white 1988 Oldsmobile Regency found abandoned at Greenbrier Apartment Complex in April 2003
💡
clue
Lead #4No cell phone or credit card activity since disappearance; gunshots heard at suspect's residence before midnight
📍
location
Lead #5Mark Richardson currently resides in Greenville, SC, approximately 100 miles from Columbia
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Case Information
Case Type:
Homicide
Status:
Open - Unsolved
Case Number:66
Started:June 19, 2001 at 5:00 PM
Last Updated:August 26, 2025
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