73 Year Old Male Beaten to Death in Greenville County

On Friday, June 24th, at approximately 2:42 P.M., deputies responded to Alice Street after receiving a call concerning a deceased male at that address. Upon arrival, deputies found a 73 year old, white male, deceased on the back porch of the residence. Investigators observed that the male, later identified as Charles Crowder, appeared to have suffered trauma to his head. Investigators from the Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit began an investigation into Crowder’s death. It was determined that Crowder was living at the residence with Roger Smothers and several other individuals. Investigators conducted numerous interviews with the occupants of the residence and were able to determine that Smothers had assaulted Crowder on Wednesday by striking him in the face and head with his fist. During the assault, Crowder struck his head on a metal door jam and wooden floor. The assault occurred after a verbal altercation between the two men.

At this time, details of the altercation that led to the assault on Crowder have not been released, but after an autopsy, Crowder’s death is being ruled as a homicide. It is believed that the injuries sustained by Crowder during the assault that led to his death on Friday afternoon. Investigators have charged Smothers with Murder in connection Crowder’s death. Smothers has been arraigned before a magistrate who denied bond in this case and he remains in the Greenville County Detention Center.