Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Hospitality Association - South Carolina Lobbyist Found Dead Inside Parking Garage Likely Committed Suicide - Coroner Says Fox News

A well-known South Carolina diner market lobbyist in whose body was located Tuesday appears to possess murdered himself using a gunshot for the head, regulators said.

The system of Tom Sponseller, who faded in excess of 7 days ago, was learned Tuesday early morning simply by investigators from a double surrounded bedroom around the actual lower level of some sort of parking house around his place of work within Columbia, in line with police.

Richland County Coroner Gary Watts explained by carrying out a touch conference so it shows up Sponseller, us president and also CEO from the South Carolina Hospitality Association , undergone a new "self-inflicted gunshot wound to help his head." A marker has been recovered with the scene.

An official autopsy is under way as bodies research the situations surrounding his / her death, Watts said.

Scott stated a take note penned by way of Sponseller appeared to be likewise discovered Tuesday, however they rejected to deliver a lot of details. The letter, learned by Sponseller's co-workers, referenced a national probe straight into lacking funds with the connections he headed.

Sponseller, 61, was continue noticed Feb. 18 at their business throughout in town Columbia. He ended up being reported not often known by means of his / her girl later this nighttime once friends tried out repeatedly to contact him by way of phone.

Sponseller was past observed by his colleagues at around midday on the office. His Mercedes sedan appeared to be determined parked with the particular shed around his office and zero signs on the challenge had been evident. His cellphone plus wallet were missing.

Federal professionals investigating Sponseller's disappearance advised this State magazine final 1 week this up to $900,000 can be missing from the association.

Law enforcement officials reportedly mentioned that Sponseller's accounting director, Rachel Duncan, 41, is often a person of great interest with this lacking dollars investigation, which in turn involves allegations with "gambling."

"Ms. Duncan continues to be interviewed, and she is often a targeted of our economic crime investigation," U.S. Secret Service Special Agent within Charge Michael Williams shared with that newspaper.

Duncan have absolutely no opinion Friday when approached by Fox News in the garden the woman's home with Lexington.

A friends and family friend whom responded this door at Sponseller's property last week said the girl didn't imagine the money investigation has been in connection with his disappearance.

Sponseller can be a Citadel move on including a previous Air Force officer, as outlined by his biography to the South Carolina Hospitality Association 's website.

He may be lobbying for any state's hospitality and tourism community to get in excess of something like 20 years. He is usually engaged to be married and possesses three mature children, most of whom have proved helpful inside the hospitality industry, according to your bio.

Fox News' Mary Quinn O'Connor contributed to be able to this report.

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