West Columbia Man Accused of Killing Girlfriend While Child Was at Home

The West Columbia Police Department arrested a man accused of killing his girlfriend and leaving her body with their 4-year-old child in the couple's home last year. 

David Richard Walker Jr., 30, of West Columbia, has been charged with the murder of 26-year-old Catherine Carrie Banty.

According to an arrest warrant, Walker allegedly strangled and beat Banty at their Alexandria Street home on Dec. 10, 2012, while their 4-year-old was at the home. 

A neighbor saw Walker at the home around the time Banty died, the warrant said. Walker left the child at the home and wasn't seen again until December 17 when he was stopped by Aiken County deputies for acting suspicious.

While stopped, deputies said Walker told them he was wanted for murder.

The child is in the custody of the victim’s family, the department said.

Walker is being held at the Lexington County Detention Center awaiting a bond.