Human remains discovered in the backyard of a home in Gaffney, South Carolina, have been identified as those of Kevin Scott Brookshire, who was reported missing more than three years ago. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office announced that John Lucas Rice, 21, from Shelby, North Carolina, has been charged with Brookshire’s murder.
Brookshire’s remains were found on August 22 by deputies using cadaver dogs during a search at the Gaffney residence. Authorities confirmed the identity of the remains on September 15. According to investigators, they received a tip from the Spartanburg County Cold Case Unit which led them to the location.
Cherokee County Sheriff Steve Mueller stated: “Investigators worked relentlessly to identify a person of interest in this case which led them to John Lucas Rice.”
After being apprehended in Shelby, North Carolina, Rice confessed to killing Brookshire in December 2021, according to law enforcement officials. He was arrested on September 19 and is currently being held at the Cherokee County Detention Center. Court records indicate that Rice is representing himself as of September 22.
Local news outlet WHNS reported that Rice had allegedly shown decomposing human remains inside a trash bag to another individual at the Gaffney property. Deputies later discovered parts of Brookshire’s body scattered across multiple locations.
Rice was denied bond during a hearing on September 20. The relationship between Rice and Brookshire has not been clarified by authorities.
The sheriff’s office stated it “will not divulge a possible motive or provide any further information at this time due to the ongoing investigation.”
