Police are currently probing the circumstances surrounding the death of Maylashia Shantebia Hogg, a 17-year-old who was nine months pregnant. She was discovered lifeless on Sunday, February 18, in Barnwell, South Carolina, about 42 miles northwest of Hampton.
The Barnwell Police Department’s report shows that people last saw Hogg between February 6 and February 8, 2024. Various news outlets conveyed that the 17-year-old’s labor was scheduled for induction on February 13. However, that was merely days before they reported her disappearance.
Sadly, on Sunday, authorities discovered the pregnant teen’s body in a ditch, per a report from the television station WRDW. The Barnwell County Coroner’s Office confirmed the identification of her remains.
In addition, the Barnwell Police Department said the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division’s (SLED) Special Victim Unit is handling the investigation. For additional details regarding the case, the Unit said the investigation was ongoing.
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“SLED’s investigation is active and ongoing,” stated SLED spokesperson Renee Wunderlich in an email. Despite this confirmation, SLED did not answer other questions about the case. The late pregnant teen reportedly aspired to be a nurse and eagerly anticipated motherhood.
In a message, her aunt, Judy Hogg, urged everyone to express love to their children, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of life. Judy expressed shock at the incident, stating that her niece was prepared for motherhood. Judy still finds it hard to understand why and how someone could harm Hogg.
According to her aunt, Hogg was a student at Barnwell High School, driven by her ambition to study nursing. While some social media users raised concerns about the level of news coverage before Hogg’s discovery, Judy spoke positively about the police’s efforts.
Judy said, “They were in contact with me every day to let me know the little details that were going on. I was keeping them informed of the things, so no, I don’t think so. They did an excellent job by finding her because it could have been longer.”
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Judy further revealed that Hogg’s loss is a heartbreaking experience, reminiscent of the pain she endured three years ago when Hogg’s mother died. Also, Judy mentioned that the teenager wanted to name her unborn baby after her late mother.
However, she noted, “We’re gonna find justice and get them. Whoever did it, just know. We’re gonna get you, and we ain’t gonna stop.” On the morning of February 14, the Barnwell Police Department publicly announced Hogg’s case, offering a $300 reward for any information aiding her discovery.
Also, authorities urged individuals with relevant information to reach out to them via email. Notably, speculations among residents suggest a potential link between Hogg’s disappearance and another missing person, Michael Still, 47.
The Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office reported that people last saw Still on February 6, two days before Hogg’s disappearance. While authorities state no definitive evidence connecting the two cases, they assert their stance in investigating all leads.
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