Couple Had No History Of Problems

"BATESBURG, SC - Two people are dead following an apparent murder-suicide that occurred late Wednesday morning on the outskirts of Aiken County, officials say.

"The victim was 23-year-old Brandi Nicole Jordan, of Blue Poppy Road in Batesburg. She was shot once in the chest by her live-in boyfriend, Travis Blease Miller, 36, before he turned the gun on himself, said Aiken County Coroner Tim Carlton.

"Miller died from a self-inflicted gun shot wound to the head, Carlton explained.

"The bodies will be taken to Newberry for autopsies today for definitive findings.

"Investigators with the Aiken County Sheriff's Office and the coroner's office have talked with Miller's parents, who live in a neighboring mobile home, for details about the events that led up to the shootings.

"From Miller's parents' accounts, officials understand that Miller and Jordan had been living in the mobile home together for several months.

"The residence didn't have air conditioning or properly working electricity, which was running into the residence though an extension cord connected to the family's home. Due to the lack of utilities, the couple would often spend much of the day with Miller's parents. On Wednesday morning, however, the 36-year-old told his mother that Jordan wouldn't be visiting with the family and then returned to their mobile home.

"Officials say they believe the woman was still alive at that point.

"Moments after Miller returned to his home, his mother reported hearing a loud bang. She went to check on the two and found Miller performing CPR on Jordan and telling the woman to `get up,` the coroner said.

"Miller gave his mother his cellular phone and told her to call for help, but the woman was unable to get a signal.

"She called 911 from her phone at 11:13 a.m.

"Miller then returned to his parents' home, where he got into an argument with his father and then returned to his residence. The nature of that argument was not known. His mother then heard what she knew was a gun shot, the coroner said.

"At 11:22 a.m. she called 911 again.

"Troy Elwell, a sheriff's office spokesperson, said he was not aware of any history of problems at the home, adding that it is still unclear as to what prompted the shooting.

"He said family members did say the two had been having recent problems, but he said he couldn't definitively say what those issues were.

"Carlton said there were still a lot of questions surrounding the incident, adding that toxicology tests would be done and the investigation is ongoing."

From aikenstandard.com...