Joshua Meeks was 16 and a junior at Mauldin High School when he went missing after telling his mother he was going to a Cook Out with friends. His mother reported him missing on January 30, 2019, after he failed to return home. Investigators found his Toyota Corolla parked at the Rocky Creek Apartments on Woodruff Road; a large amount of blood was reported on the passenger seat.

Joshua’s body was located the next morning, January 31, along a dirt road in Laurens County, about 26 miles from where his car was found. The coroner determined the cause of death was a gunshot wound. Authorities say the killing stemmed from a drug deal that turned violent and that several teenagers were taken into custody in connection with the case.

If anyone knew Joshua’s movements on the evening of January 29 or has information about the events that led to his death, please come forward to law enforcement.