MURDERED: Beatrice Riley
On a March night in 1972, 23-year-old Beatrice Riley vanished from her home in Columbia, South Carolina. Evidence from the house suggested something, or someone, had prompted her to step outside voluntarily. Two weeks later, the search for Beatrice ended when her remains were found in a wooded area half a mile from her home. She’d been beaten to death, and there were few clues about who committed the crime.
For 50 years, the case languished until another woman came forward with a story about a terrifying incident that could be the key to solving Beatrice’s case.
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Beatrice Riley
Courtesy: Richland County Sheriff’s Department
Beatrice Riley
Courtesy: Cedric Anderson
Arthur Riley
Source: Family Photo via Legacy.com
Beatrice and Arthur at their May 2, 1971 wedding.
Courtesy: Cedric Anderson
The home where Beatrice went missing after her husband left for work.
Courtesy: Richland County Sheriff’s Department
A sparse tree line separated Beatrice and Arthur’s home from the road.
Courtesy: Richland County Sheriff’s Department
The woods where Beatrice’s body was found
Courtesy: Richland County Sheriff’s Department
Investigator Dottie Cronise
Photo by Audiochuck Staff
Beatrice’s brother, Cedric Anderson, holding her reward poster.
Photo by Audiochuck Staff
A reward poster for Beatrice Riley
Courtesy: Richland County Sheriff’s Department
Additional Information:
Tips:
If you have any information about the death of Beatrice Riley, please call the Richland County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Tip Line at 803-576-3114, or you can email us at [email protected].
Episode Source Material
- Original reporting by Jenn Amell, Madison Cavalchire, and Courteney Stuart
- Case information provided by Richland County Sheriff’s Department cold case investigator Dottie Cronise
- Staff report. “Citizens Asked To Help Locate Missing Person.” The State (Columbia, SC), March 17, 1972. https://www.newspapers.com/image/750338687/ Accessed September 18, 2024.
- Staff report. “Investigation Continues In Death Of Mrs. Riley.” The Columbia Record. March 27, 1972. https://www.newspapers.com/image/745668146/
- Pulliam, Tim. “Richland County murder case still cold after 39 years.” WIS TV 10. March 23, 2011. https://www.wistv.com/story/14309737/richland-county-murder-case-cold-after-39-years/ Accessed September 19, 2024.
- Staff report. “Dead Woman Said Beaten.” The State. March 28, 1972. https://www.newspapers.com/image/745668494/
- Staff report. “Body Found By Passerby.” The State. March 28, 1972. https://www.newspapers.com/image/750340108/
- Bailey, Steve. “Four Women Among Area’s Unsolved Murders.” The State. January 28, 1974. https://www.newspapers.com/image/750683274/
- Pulliam, Tim. “Richland County murder case still cold after 39 years.” WIS TV 10. March 23, 2011. https://www.wistv.com/story/14309737/richland-county-murder-case-cold-after-39-years/
- Carter, Maegan and Jameson, Simone. “Brother asks for answers in sister’s murder, 50-year-old cold case.” WPDE/WACH Fox News. March 26, 2022. https://wpde.com/news/local/sheriff-hosts-event-to-remember-woman-who-was-murdered-50-years-ago
- Smith, Nevin. “Infamous Columbia cold case marks 50 years, family seeking justice.” WIS TV 10. March 25, 2022. https://www.wistv.com/2022/03/25/infamous-columbia-cold-case-marks-50-years-family-seeking-justice/
- Tejada, Alex. “Late Columbia woman’s brother asking for answers in 50-year-old cold case.” ABC 25. by Alex Tejada. March 26, 2022. https://www.abccolumbia.com/2022/03/26/late-columbia-womans-brother-asking-for-answers-in-his-sisters-50-year-old-cold-case/
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