The Richland County Coroner’s Office has identified the man found dead earlier this week in the Congaree River as Voyd Tribble III, a 61-year-old resident of Pomaria, South Carolina. Tribble’s body was discovered on Tuesday evening near a boat landing in Columbia, leading to a swift investigation by local authorities.
The discovery occurred at around 6 p.m. on October 1, when a group of individuals spotted what appeared to be a body floating in the water near the 600 block of Rosewood Drive. Upon receiving the report, deputies from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) arrived on the scene. Rescue crews were able to successfully retrieve Tribble’s body and bring it back to land. Despite the quick response, the mystery surrounding his death remains unresolved as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances.
Coroner Naida Rutherford, who confirmed Tribble’s identity on Friday, stated that no immediate signs of trauma were visible on the body when it was found. While this might rule out certain causes, the actual cause of death is still undetermined. Rutherford’s office is currently working closely with the RCSD and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) to gather more information.
In a formal statement, Coroner Rutherford said, “We will continue working with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources to fully investigate this incident.” The collaboration between these agencies aims to shed light on the circumstances leading to Tribble’s death, which could involve several possible factors, such as drowning, a medical emergency, or even foul play, although there is no concrete evidence pointing to the latter at this stage of the investigation.
The boat landing near Rosewood Drive is a well-known public access point to the Congaree River, popular with locals for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and kayaking. The area, although frequently visited, has seen occasional reports of accidents and incidents involving individuals either getting into distress while in the water or facing medical emergencies nearby. This history has prompted authorities to maintain a watchful eye over the region, although nothing particularly alarming had been reported recently prior to this tragic discovery.
As the investigation progresses, local law enforcement is urging anyone who may have been in the area on Tuesday evening or witnessed anything unusual to come forward with information. Even the smallest detail could be crucial to understanding the events that led to Tribble’s untimely death.
Tribble’s family and community are now left in mourning, searching for answers. His death has struck a chord in Pomaria, a small town in Newberry County, where he was well-known. His death has raised many questions among locals, especially given the lack of any obvious cause at the scene. Residents and friends of the family have taken to social media to express their condolences, with some calling for thorough scrutiny into what happened that evening.
Water-related deaths, whether accidental or otherwise, are not uncommon in South Carolina. According to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), drowning is a leading cause of death in natural water settings such as rivers and lakes across the state. While the circumstances surrounding Tribble’s death remain unknown, it falls under the broader category of incidents that South Carolina authorities are familiar with handling.
Authorities continue to investigate, with the hope of providing closure to Tribble’s loved ones. As of now, the community waits for the results of the autopsy and toxicology reports, which may provide more insight into how Tribble ended up in the Congaree River and what ultimately caused his death.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact the Richland County Sheriff’s Department or the SCDNR. The case remains active, with officials promising to update the public as more information becomes available.