The Richland County Coroner has identified remains found a week ago as Adriana Laster, a woman who disappeared over 12 years ago in the county. And investigators already believe they know who killed her.
Coroner Naida Rutherford announced the results of tests conducted over the last week on the remains, which she said positively identified them as Laster. At the same time, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said Elgin Police are obtaining warrants for Freddie Grant, a convicted murderer who is already serving decades in prison for killing a Richland County teen over a decade ago.
Laster's remains were found on Jan. 12 at a sand pit located off Highway Church Road in northeast Richland County. A construction worker at the sand pit site was digging with an excavator that day when he discovered the remains. Deputies who responded to the scene found what appeared to a human legbone and about a five-foot deep grave that was hidden under the sand.
Officers then found plaid and leopard print clothing that was lying with the remains. Richland County crime scene investigators were then called in to process the area. Other human bones were also located.