Man dies of heart attack while burying woman he strangled, officials say Joseph McKinnon, Patricia Dent found dead in backyard of South Carolina home
Police lights. (KPRC/File)
TRENTON, S.C. – A man died of a heart attack in South Carolina while he was burying a woman he strangled, according to the sheriff’s officials.
WJBF-TV in South Carolina reported deputies with the Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office found the body of Joseph Anthony McKinnon, 60, Saturday in the backyard of a home in Trenton. While there, deputies found another body, identified as Patricia Ruth Dent, 65, in a “freshly dug pit.”
Trending: A look at the underground tunnels that once connected downtown Jacksonville | Kicker’s lawsuit could shed light on Meyer’s time with Jags
Officials said McKinnon strangled Dent and wrapped her in trash bags before he put her body in a pit he dug, WJBF reported.
Investigators said McKinnon had a heart attack while burying her.
WJBF reported the two lived at the home together.
Click here to read their report.
Copyright 2022 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.
About the Author Brenda Argueta headshot
Brenda Argueta is a digital journalist who joined ClickOrlando.com in March 2021. She is the author of the Central Florida Happenings newsletter that goes out every Thursday.
It's gonna be warm! Start hydrating early for Gate River Run ▶ 0:52
It's gonna be warm! Start hydrating early for Gate River Run
Justice 4 All: How proposed legislation could impact homeowners with pools ▶ 1:12
Justice 4 All: How proposed legislation could impact homeowners with pools
Mayor Deegan approves 3 a.m. alcohol sales downtown; some News4JAX viewers question safety ▶ 0:45
Mayor Deegan approves 3 a.m. alcohol sales downtown; some News4JAX viewers question safety
How Florida’s fishing license change could impact tourists ▶ 0:38
How Florida’s fishing license change could impact tourists
Big changes runners need to know for Gate River Run Expo ▶ 1:00
Big changes runners need to know for Gate River Run Expo
Man charged after 1 killed, 2 wounded by gunfire at construction site in St. Johns County ▶ 1:12
Man charged after 1 killed, 2 wounded by gunfire at construction site in St. Johns County
One person dead, 2 more sent to hospital after argument turns into fight in St. Johns County ▶ 1:03
One person dead, 2 more sent to hospital after argument turns into fight in St. Johns County
Bus company confirms driver removed from service after unauthorized person boards school bus ▶ 1:35
Bus company confirms driver removed from service after unauthorized person boards school bus
Oceanway residents disappointed in committee’s decision to approve storage unit development ▶ 0:22
Oceanway residents disappointed in committee’s decision to approve storage unit development
UNF poll finds that Florida voters are split on Trump's immigration policy ▶ 0:52
UNF poll finds that Florida voters are split on Trump's immigration policy
Happy clouds on a Happy Humpday. When will we get some rain? ▶ 0:51
Happy clouds on a Happy Humpday. When will we get some rain?
Photos show Jacksonville-based Navy ships, helicopters playing key roles in ‘Operation Epic Fury ▶ 1:08
Photos show Jacksonville-based Navy ships, helicopters playing key roles in ‘Operation Epic Fury
How the Middle East conflict will affect travel ▶ 1:12
How the Middle East conflict will affect travel
St. Johns County deputies pull man away from fiery crash on I-95 ▶ 0:32
St. Johns County deputies pull man away from fiery crash on I-95
Jacksonville HIV advocate warns of crisis as thousands lose medication access ▶ 1:21
Jacksonville HIV advocate warns of crisis as thousands lose medication access
Passion 4 Pets: Taco is looking for his furever home 🌮 ▶ 0:51
Passion 4 Pets: Taco is looking for his furever home 🌮
Race director's Top 5 things to know for a successful Gate River Run -- with a bonus from Melanie ▶ 1:19
Race director's Top 5 things to know for a successful Gate River Run -- with a bonus from Melanie
LIFT JAX, Swisher announce $135M expansion to create jobs for Eastside residents ▶ 0:36
LIFT JAX, Swisher announce $135M expansion to create jobs for Eastside residents
Gas prices spike overnight. Will they continue to rise? ▶ 1:02
Gas prices spike overnight. Will they continue to rise?
Manatees at Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens enjoy new river habitat ▶ 1:10
Manatees at Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens enjoy new river habitat
4 cars set on fire at Mandarin apartment complex ▶ 0:22
4 cars set on fire at Mandarin apartment complex
Here Tomorrow is redefining suicide prevention — offering immediate, no-cost support with no wait. ▶ 0:41
Here Tomorrow is redefining suicide prevention — offering immediate, no-cost support with no wait.
Student describes scary moments when unauthorized person boarded school bus & touched her ▶ 1:23
Student describes scary moments when unauthorized person boarded school bus & touched her
Carrico nominates firefighter union leader Randy Wyse for JEA board amid ongoing controversy ▶ 1:10
Carrico nominates firefighter union leader Randy Wyse for JEA board amid ongoing controversy
Impact Christian Back in State Semifinals ▶ 0:38
Impact Christian Back in State Semifinals
Previous photo Next photo 