WALHALLA — A Westminster man remained in the Oconee County Detention Center without bond Friday after he admitted killing his wife during an interview with investigators.
According to the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office, Lee Mikeal Cawthon, 40, of Welcome Church Road came to the Sheriff’s Office late Wednesday afternoon and admitted killing his wife, Rebecca A. Murray Cawthon, 33.
Investigators recovered a body on the property at 496 Welcome Church Road that is presumed to be that of Rebecca Cawthon. An autopsy was planned to determine the cause and manner of death.
Cawthon was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center around 7:49 p.m. May 2 and charged with murder, possession of a weapon during commission of a violent crime, domestic violence and manufacturing marijuana as a result of the investigation.
Bond was set at $50,000 surety on the domestic violence charge and $25,00o on the drug charge. Bond had not been set Friday on the murder or weapons charges.
On April 18, a deputy from the Uniform Patrol Division responded to 496 Welcome Church Road for a welfare check after a family member had not been able to reach Rebecca Cawthon. The family member had gone to the residence to make contact but had been unsuccessful. The family member had not heard from Rebecca before contacting law enforcement.
Rebecca Cawthon’s information was entered into the National Crimes Information Center database and the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office had been following up on leads in the case. The Sheriff’s Office issued a press release on April 24 seeking the public’s help regarding the investigation.
“Due to the fact that this investigation remains active and ongoing, the Sheriff’s Office will not be releasing any further information at this time,” said Captain Greg Reed of the Criminal Investigations Division of the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office.