On May 13, 2021, in Hartsville, South Carolina, 18-year-old Caleb Nathanial James died from a single gunshot wound at the home of his girlfriend, Cassie Escobar. The death came three weeks before he was due to graduate from McBee High School. Deputies at the scene initially considered the possibility of suicide, and Escobar’s early account suggested Caleb had taken his own life.

Caleb’s mother, Jessica Peavey, doubted that account and pressed for further investigation. The Darlington County Coroner’s Office reviewed the evidence and concluded the wounds did not fit a self-inflicted injury. Escobar later confessed to shooting Caleb and was arrested, initially charged with involuntary manslaughter; a Darlington County Grand Jury returned a murder indictment against her.

Peavey also filed a lawsuit against the Darlington County Sheriff alleging the office mishandled the initial investigation and failed to properly supervise deputies, and that items including Caleb’s clothing and cell phone were not sent for forensic analysis. Does anyone have information about Caleb’s last day or about evidence that was handled early in the inquiry?