Brother Charged With Murder of Missing Prosperity Man

The body of a missing Prosperity man was found in a wooded area Sunday and his brother has been charged with his murder, the Newberry County Sheriff's Office said.

Daryl Richburg, 49, of Prosperity, was charged with murder in connection with the death of 56-year-old Walter Hawkins Jr.

Hawkins was reported missing Saturday after his family was unable to locate him to go to work. 

Investigators said they suspected foul play may have been involved after evidence of blood was found near Hawkins' Richburg Drive home. 

According to the sheriff's office, family members saw Richburg in a wooded area near the home and detained him until officers arrived.

Hawkins' body was found in the wooded area off Maple Knoll Court, near Highway 391 in Prosperity.

Investigators said the motive for the killing appears to have been a domestic related argument between the two men.

It also appears that alcohol was a factor in the murder, according to the sheriff's office.

The Newberry County Coroner’s Office has scheduled an autopsy for Monday to determine the official cause of death.