Body of Missing Gaston Man Found

Lexington County Sheriff’s Department and South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) investigators on Saturday found the body of a 68-year-old Gaston man whose wife reported him missing to the Sheriff’s Department the previous day.

Lexington County Sheriff James Metts said investigators found the body of Edwin James Russell, of 3833 Fish Hatchery Road, Gaston, at about 3 p.m. on Saturday in woods near Russell’s home. It appears that Russell died as a result of being shot in his head.

Lexington County Coroner Harry Harman ordered an autopsy to be performed Mondayin order to determine the cause and manner of Russell’s death. Detectives are investigating whether the gunshot wound to Russell’s head was self-inflicted. Investigators found a shotgun by Russell’s body.

Russell’s 69-year-old wife, Mary Russell, told deputies that her husband had walked away from their home at about 11 a.m. on Friday following a verbal dispute with her about household issues, Metts said. Mary Russell told deputies that it was out of character for her husband to remain away from their residence for a prolonged period of time.

The Sheriff’s Department and SLED conducted aerial searches using helicopters and ground searches using all-terrain vehicles, Metts said. Investigators found Edwin Russell’s body during a search that was conducted on Saturday afternoon, he said.