Blood in the trunk of a missing Hollywood woman's stolen car led to a murder charge against the man believed to have killed her, according to an affidavit.
The paperwork was part of a bond hearing Saturday for Jerry Lee Manigault, 53, of Hollywood. The convicted sex offender is accused of killing Julia Ann Mudgett, 77, also of Hollywood. He lives on Baptist Hill Road near Mudgett's mobile home on Toogoodoo Road.
Manigault was charged with murder and first-degree burglary Friday, about the time Mudgett's body was found in the woods about a half mile from her home. He had been booked into the Charleston County jail Monday on a charge of failing to register as a sex offender.
The affidavit outlines probable cause for the charges. It also gives more details about the murder. Sometime between 7 p.m. May 5 and 10 p.m. May 6, Mudgett was hit several times in the head and body, causing blood loss that is believed to have contributed to her death, according to the affidavit. A window in the front door was broken. The house appeared to have been ransacked, kitchen cabinets were open and a large amount of blood was spattered on the floor and walls, according to the affidavit. Mudgett's breathing machine was still running in a front room.
Mudgett was nowhere to be found, but her maroon Hyundai Elantra was gone.
Investigators got tips that Manigault had gone to Bluffton, where he had family members, according to the affidavit. Detectives found Mudgett's car in the area. Blood was found in the trunk, and the State Law Enforcement Division was comparing it with Mudgett's blood, according to the affidavit.
A warrant for Manigault's arrest was drawn up Friday afternoon. About 5:15 p.m., two detectives and a SLED agent found a body wrapped in some sort of cloth near her home.
Charleston County Deputy Coroner Kimberly Rhoton confirmed Saturday it was Mudgett's body. She died of blunt trauma, and her death was a homicide, Rhoton said.
Manigault did not give investigators any tips where to look for the body, Sheriff's Maj. Eric Watson said Saturday.
Magistrate Priscilla Baldwin did not set bail on the Manigault's felony charges Saturday. He remains in the Charleston County jail.
Manigault is also a suspect in the death of 70-year-old Polly Ann Mitchell of Bluffton, whose body was found Monday.
Reach Dave Munday at 937-5553.
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LostNMissing Inc., is an all-volunteer national tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (the "code") and qualifies as a public supported organization under Sections, or Categories: P99 (Human Services - Multipurpose and Other N.E.C.); M99 (Other Public Safety, Disaster Preparedness, and Relief N.E.C.); I01 (Alliance/Advocacy Organizations). LostNMissing is organized and incorporated under the laws of the State of New Hampshire. We never charge a fee for our services.
LostNMissing Inc.
www.lostnmissing.com
LostNMissing Inc., is an all-volunteer national tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (the "code") and qualifies as a public supported organization under Sections, or Categories: P99 (Human Services - Multipurpose and Other N.E.C.); M99 (Other Public Safety, Disaster Preparedness, and Relief N.E.C.); I01 (Alliance/Advocacy Organizations). LostNMissing is organized and incorporated under the laws of the State of New Hampshire. We never charge a fee for our services.
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