Suspect identified, cold case over 20 years old closed in South Carolina

GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (WLOS) — A cold case dating back over 22 years ago in Upstate South Carolina has come to a close as authorities have identified a man they believe to be responsible for a woman's death.

The Greenville County Sheriff's Office says on June 5, 2000, a homicide investigation was initiated after54-year-old Sharon Anschutz was shot and killed during what was determined to be a robbery while working at the John Butler Dry Cleaners located at 1710 Easley Bridge Road. Following the initial investigation, the case went cold after no arrests were made.

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In the summer of 2022, the sheriff's officecold case unit beganre-interviewing old witnesses and identifying new ones. In addition, investigators looked into potential forensic evidence related to the case.

On Jan. 6, 2023, investigators closed the case after determining who they believe was the suspect, 44-year-old Roger Keith Hudgens. Officials say through interviews, investigatorslearned Hudgens was a local man who did various jobs around the dry cleaners, including occasionally taking out the trash.

"Through speaking with witnesses, investigators learned of Hudgens’ intentions to rob the business that day and, along with forensic evidence, were able to tie him to Anshutz’s murder," a press release from the sheriff's office said.

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Hudgens died in 2008 from medical complications.

“While no investigation will bring loved ones back, I hope that Ms. Sharon Anschutz’s family can find peace in knowing that her killer was identified and no longer in a position to harm others," Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis said in a press release. "As the Sheriff of this county, it is my unwavering intention not to rest until every one of our cold cases is solved, and justice is served. I am so proud of the work and persistent dedication our team of investigators performed. My message to the community of fallen victim families is that we will never give up.”