Shelton Sanders
Shelton John Sanders
📍 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 Embassy Suites in Columbia, SC at 9:51 PM. His former roommate Mark Richardson was arrested and charged with murder in 2005, but a 2008 trial resulted in a mistrial due to a hung jury. Sanders' remains have never been recovered, and the case remains unsolved with a $50,000 reward offered.
Timeline of Events
👁️
2001-06-19
21:51Last Official Sighting
Shelton seen at Embassy Suites with Mark Richardson planning a bachelor party
📍
2001-06-19
23:00Visit to Suspect's Home
Shelton goes to Mark Richardson's home on Olympia Avenue
📋
2001-06-19
23:30Gunshots Heard
Neighbor Friedna Wessinger hears three gunshots from Mark's home; Mark claims car backfired
🚗
2001-06-20
00:30Vehicle Abandoned
Cell phone records show Mark traveled to Greenbrier Apartment Complex; Shelton's car later found there
🕵️
2005-10-05
Arrest Made
Mark Richardson arrested and charged with Shelton's murder
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; gunshots heard at his home; cell phone records place him at vehicle abandonment location
👁️
witness
Lead #2Friedna Wessinger - neighbor who heard three gunshots from Mark's home on night of disappearance
🔍
evidence
Lead #3White 1988 Oldsmobile Regency - Shelton's vehicle found abandoned at Greenbrier Apartment Complex in April 2003
💡
clue
Lead #4No cell phone or credit card usage since disappearance; body never recovered despite extensive searches
⏰
timeline
Lead #52008 mistrial with hung jury; case remains unsolved; family offering $50,000 reward for information leading to remains
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Case Information
Case Type:
Homicide
Status:
Open - Unsolved
Case Number:66
Started:June 19, 2001 at 9:51 PM
Last Updated:August 26, 2025
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