Author: Daniel Cochran

01/07/2023

For Immediate Release:

Brett Barwick, Captain

Pickens County Sheriff’s Office

Brettb@co.pickens.sc.us

Pickens County Sheriff’s Office Conducting Investigation into Shooting Incident

On 01/07/2023, deputies with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call regarding a disturbance at a residence on Crest Way in Easley, South Carolina.

Upon arrival, deputies discovered an unresponsive adult female who had succumbed to an apparent gunshot wound.

The incident is under investigation by the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and the Pickens County Coroner’s Office. All parties have been identified and are cooperating with the investigation. No arrests have been made at this time.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

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01/05/2023

For Immediate Release:

Chuck James, Chief Deputy

Pickens County Sheriff’s Office

Chuckj@co.pickens.sc.us

Pickens Man Arrested on Child Sexual Abuse Material and Related Charges:

On 12/20/2022, Special Victim’s Unit detectives with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, who are members of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, initiated an investigation into allegations of sexual exploitation of a minor reportedly occurring in a Pickens home.

Detectives received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), leading them to Lewis Matthew Hardenbrook. 

According to detectives, Hardenbrook reportedly engaged in criminal sexual conduct with a minor and produced multiple files of child sexual abuse material.  

On 12/21/2022, Lewis Matthew Hardenbrook (age 34) of Pickens, S.C., was apprehended.

In custody:

Hardenbrook, Lewis Matthew (age 34)

Charges:

Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, First Degree (2022A3910200135)

Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, First Degree (2022A3910200136)

Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Third Degree (2022A3910200137)

Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Third Degree (2022A3910200138)

Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Third Degree (2022A3910200139)

Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, First Degree (2022A3910101269)

Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, First Degree (2022A3910101270)

Investigators with the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and Oconee County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the investigation.

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12/11/2022

For Immediate Release:

Chuck James, Chief Deputy
Pickens County Sheriff’s Office
Chuckj@co.pickens.sc.us

Arrest Following Friday Night’s Hwy. 123 shooting incident.

At 8:51 PM on December 9th, 2022, the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office received a call about a suspicious person lying near the edge of the roadway in the 3900 block of Hwy. 123 Easley, South Carolina. When deputies arrived at the scene, they located an adult male with an apparent gunshot wound to his lower torso. EMS transported the victim to Prisma Health’s Greenville Memorial Hospital, where he underwent surgery and is presently in stable condition.

Following the discovery of the victim, detectives with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office immediately began an investigation into the incident. That investigation culminated in the arrest of Renee Lavonne Simon (age 55), a known associate of the victim, on December 10th, 2022. Simon is housed at the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office’s Detention Center, where she is being held without bond.

IN CUSTODY:

Simon, Renee Lavonne (age 55)

Charges:

Attempted Murder (2022A3910101206)

Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime (2022A3910101207)

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07/23/2022

For Immediate Release

Chuck James, Chief Deputy

Pickens County Sheriff’s Office

Chuckj@co.pickens.sc.us

Pickens County Sheriff’s Office Investigates Deadly Shooting Incident at Pickens Residence (Death Investigation). 

At approximately 12:38 AM on July 23rd, 2022, deputies with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office responded to a disturbance at 270 Allgood Bridge Road in Pickens, South Carolina. As deputies were responding to the residence, Pickens County Sheriff’s Office Communications informed deputies of an active altercation within the home and the sound of a possible gunshot.

Upon arriving at the residence, an adult male subject exited the home and approached deputies. The subject complied with deputies’ commands and was immediately placed into investigative detention. Deputies then entered the house and observed an adult male victim lying unresponsive within the residence; the victim appeared to have suffered an apparent gunshot wound and died at the scene. One adult male subject was transported to the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office for additional questioning by detectives.

The preliminary investigation suggests that the two parties were engaged in a physical altercation when one of the subjects discharged a firearm, ultimately killing the other subject.

No arrests have been made due to our obligation to investigate self-defense claims, as is alleged in this case. The investigation remains ongoing while detectives continue to collect, analyze, and compare evidence against statements provided by witnesses. Additional information will be provided when it becomes available.

Inquiries concerning the victim’s identity should be directed to the Pickens County Coroner’s Office.

The information is based on a preliminary and ongoing investigation, which continues to evolve as investigators interview witnesses, review physical and electronic records, and analyze forensic evidence. The Department’s understanding of the facts and circumstances may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed.  

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07/08/2022

For Immediate Release

Chuck James, Chief Deputy

Pickens County Sheriff’s Office

Chuckj@co.pickens.sc.us

Pickens County Coroner Identifies Body of Missing Man

At approximately 9:15 P.M. on July 7th, 2022, deputies with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office located the body of what appeared to be an adult male in the 3100 block of Pumpkintown Highway. Pickens, SC. 29671. The body was suspected to be that of Francis Alward, who went missing on June 29th, 2022.  

On July 8th, 2022, The Pickens County Coroner’s Office positively identified the body as Francis Alward. No foul play is suspected.  

The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank first responders from all over the Upstate and Foothills Search and Rescue members, who have worked tirelessly to locate Mr. Alward.

In addition, we greatly appreciate the public outreach for support in the search for Mr. Alward.

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07/08/2022

For Immediate Release

Chuck James, Chief Deputy

Pickens County Sheriff’s Office

Chuckj@co.pickens.sc.us

Body Found in 3100 Block of Pumpkintown Hwy. Pickens, South Carolina

At approximately 9:15 PM on July 7th, 2022, while investigating a report of an unusual odor, deputies with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office located the body of what appears to be an adult male in the 3100 block of Pumpkintown Hwy, roughly 8/10 of a mile from the home of Francis Alward, who went missing on June 29th, 2022.

At 8:38 PM on July 7th, 2022, attendees of a wedding party at the location notified the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office of an unusual odor in the area.   Deputies responded to the residence and searched a large wooded site behind the home, where they discovered the body of an adult male. The body was found along a creek bed in the woods, several hundred yards behind the occupied short-term rental home.

The Pickens County Coroner’s Office also responded to the scene and is working with investigators to identify the body. When an identification is made, that information will be provided by the Pickens County Coroner’s Office. 

No additional information is available at this time

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07/07/2022

For Immediate Release

Chuck James, Chief Deputy

Pickens County Sheriff’s Office

Chuckj@co.pickens.sc.us

A 31-year-old man has been charged with Voluntary Manslaughter and Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime following an investigation into the July 2nd, 2022, shooting on Green Meadow Lane in Easley, South Carolina.

On July 2nd, Deputies with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office responded to 109 Green Meadow Lane regarding a shooting incident. Upon arrival, deputies located a 49-year-old male with two gunshot wounds to the lower abdomen. The victim was transported to Greenville Memorial Hospital and later pronounced dead. While on the scene, deputies located Cordarrell Tashawn Gray, who was identified as the assailant. As a result of the investigation, Gray was charged with Voluntary Manslaughter and Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime. Gray is currently being held at the Greenville County Detention Center on unrelated charges.   

Charges:

Voluntary Manslaughter (2022A3910100704)

Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime (2022A3910100705)

 05/18/2022

For Immediate Release

Chuck James, Captain

Pickens County Sheriff’s Office

Pickens County Sheriff’s Office Announces Arrest in Yesterday’s Shooting Incident in Central.

A 45-year-old female has been charged with Attempted Murder and Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime following an investigation into a May 17th, 2022, shooting on Tankersley Drive in Central, South Carolina.

On May 17th, Deputies with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office responded to 127 Tankersley Drive in reference to a shooting incident. Upon arrival, deputies located a 53-year-old male with an apparent gunshot wound to the upper back. The victim was transported via helicopter to Greenville Memorial Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries. While on scene, deputies located Jonie Ann Bridwell, who both the victim and neighbors identified as the assailant. Bridwell was detained for questioning and transported to the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office. As a result of the investigation, Bridwell was placed under arrest and booked at the Pickens County Detention Center, where she is presently housed.

The victim remains hospitalized.

Charges:                                                        

Murder (2022A3910100498)                                      

Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime (2022A3910100498)   

Bond was denied on both charges.

If there are any other changes or details that can be released without compromising or hindering the investigation, those details will be distributed at one time through a media release.