SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCIV) — The Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office held a press conference Thursday morning, addressing the public and giving updates on a Harleyville homicide investigation that began back in January.

At the press conference, Sheriff Sam Richardson announced the arrests of Keimaray Gates and Janone Zeigler, who have been taken into custody and charged with murder and desecration of human remains.

According to the sheriff, Gates and Zeigler were suspects of interest in the case, and then on June 16, they were involved in an armed robbery, which allowed officers to issue a warrant for their arrest. One of the suspects turned themselves in on July 4, and the other was arrested on Wednesday. Both individuals were served and denied bond with their next appearance yet to be scheduled.

Cedric was reportedly fatally shot and then his body was burned inside his vehicle just off of First Bend Road, according to the coroner.

The original incident report states that Haynes’ remains were found on Jan. 31, 2026. And Thursday’s events mark nearly six months since the crime.

“From the very beginning, our detectives understood that this case would not be solved overnight,” Richardson said.

THE NEIGHBOR WHO FOUND THE BODY

Neighbors who discovered Haynes’ burned remains said the crime continues to weigh heavily on the community.

“I got back to the top of the hill. I see the mother coming, and the mother said she wanted to go back there,” one neighbor recalled. “I told her, ‘You can’t go back there. You can’t recognize the body.'”

The neighbor described Haynes as a kind man who was well known in the community.

“He was a nice guy. He didn’t bother nobody. You know, he had kids,” the neighbor said.

Richardson said the arrests reflect the sheriff’s office’s commitment to pursuing justice regardless of how long an investigation takes.

“Our families deserve answers, victims deserve justice, and those responsible should know that this office will never give up,” he said.

Another neighbor said those responsible should face the maximum punishment.

“I feel that whoever done this need to be punished to the fullest,” the neighbor said. “So whoever did it, I hope he prosecuted them to the fullest. They need it.”

Thursday would have marked Haynes’ 36th birthday.

Court records do not indicate when Gates or Zeigler will next appear in court. A GoFundMe has been established to assist Haynes’ family with expenses.

Source: https://abcnews4.com/news/local/dorchester-county-sheriff-to-hold-press-conference-announcing-arrests-in-jan-homicide-crime-harleyville-burned-out-car-investigation