Topline: Family members say David Hutchinson was lured to South Carolina by online promises of work before his death was discovered outside an abandoned home.
Published: February 8, 2026 8:45 am ET
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MARION, SC — What began as a quiet trip south ended in violence for a Massachusetts barber whose family says he left home hopeful and trusting, only to be found weeks later inside a trash can outside an abandoned house in Marion.
The body of David Hutchinson, 32, of Oakham, Massachusetts, was discovered last week at a home on Pearl Street, according to the Marion Police Department and the Marion County Coroner’s Office. Authorities say Hutchinson’s death is being investigated as a homicide, though police have not yet disclosed how he died.
“This isn’t just another statistic,” Hutchinson’s brother told WBTW in an exclusive interview days after the discovery. “David isn’t just a drifter who showed up in town.”
According to Marion Police Chief Tony Flowers, Hutchinson traveled to Marion by bus in December 2025 after connecting online with a woman who encouraged him to come to the area, telling him he could find a well-paying job, as reported by WMBF. Family members told WBTW that Hutchinson left without telling relatives his full plans, expecting to return home in early January.
When they lost contact with him after Dec. 29, Hutchinson’s family contacted police. Flowers said Hutchinson was officially reported missing on Jan. 12, according to WBTW.
That same day, police received a tip about a possible homicide at a residence in the area, Flowers said in comments reported by WMBF. Investigators initially found little to suggest a crime, noting there were no reports of gunfire or disturbances in the neighborhood, which residents described to WBTW as quiet and largely made up of older residents who keep to themselves.
“Ultimately, another tip led investigators to discover Hutchinson’s body,” Flowers said, according to WMBF.
Marion County Coroner Jerry Richardson said Hutchinson’s body was found inside a trash can outside the Pearl Street home and appeared to have been there for some time, showing signs of decomposition, according to WMBF.
In the days following the discovery, police arrested Jaida Braddy, 41, and charged her with accessory after the fact to a felony or murder in connection with Hutchinson’s death, according to Marion police and multiple reports. Flowers told WMBF that Braddy is accused of helping move Hutchinson to the location where his body was found after he was already deceased.
Jaida Braddy’s mugshot (via
Marion County Detention Center)
Authorities said Braddy is being held at the Marion County Detention Center on a $15,000 surety bond, according to WBTW and WMBF.
“He’s a son, a brother, a cousin — an uncle and a friend to a lot of people up here who loved him tremendously,” Hutchinson’s brother told WBTW. “We prayed this story would have a better ending, and we’ll miss him so much.”
Relatives described Hutchinson as an accomplished barber whose kindness may have left him vulnerable. His brother said the grim circumstances surrounding his death have overshadowed who he was as a person.
“Naive and too trusting, but a good kid who made bad decisions at times, and this time he sadly had to pay the ultimate price for it,” he told WBTW. “The news headlines all flashing ‘man found in trash decomposing’ are extremely upsetting for us. I know it’s captivating, but he was a lot more than that.”
David Hutchinson’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign in the wake of his death, describing the circumstances that led him to South Carolina. According to the page, Hutchinson traveled to the state after a woman he met online promised a business opportunity. Once there, the family says he quickly realized it was a setup, and after an altercation in which his barbering equipment and phone were stolen, he disappeared.
“After being taken for his money, he was dropped off at trap house where his phone was also stolen,” the page states.
Weeks later, his body was discovered just a block from where he was last seen, and authorities confirmed he was the victim of a homicide.
The family says the fund will help cover the costs of bringing Hutchinson’s body home from South Carolina, working with investigators, and arranging a memorial service and burial. “David had a kind heart and the biggest personality. He was loved by all those who knew him and friendly to those who didn’t,” the campaign states. Donations will assist the family in honoring his life and pursuing answers about the events that led to his death.
Flowers said Hutchinson’s death remains under active investigation and interviews are ongoing. Richardson confirmed an autopsy is being conducted to determine the cause and manner of death, with results expected soon, according to WPDE. Police have said additional information will be released once those findings are available.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Barber Murdered After Allegedly Being Lured by Woman Promising Well-Paying Job
Family members say David Hutchinson was lured to South Carolina by online promises of work before his death was discovered outside an abandoned home.
By Jacob Charles
Published: February 8, 2026 8:45 am ET
MARION, SC — What began as a quiet trip south ended in violence for a Massachusetts barber whose family says he left home hopeful and trusting, only to be found weeks later inside a trash can outside an abandoned house in Marion.
The body of David Hutchinson, 32, of Oakham, Massachusetts, was discovered last week at a home on Pearl Street, according to the Marion Police Department and the Marion County Coroner’s Office. Authorities say Hutchinson’s death is being investigated as a homicide, though police have not yet disclosed how he died.
“This isn’t just another statistic,” Hutchinson’s brother told WBTW in an exclusive interview days after the discovery. “David isn’t just a drifter who showed up in town.”
According to Marion Police Chief Tony Flowers, Hutchinson traveled to Marion by bus in December 2025 after connecting online with a woman who encouraged him to come to the area, telling him he could find a well-paying job, as reported by WMBF. Family members told WBTW that Hutchinson left without telling relatives his full plans, expecting to return home in early January.
When they lost contact with him after Dec. 29, Hutchinson’s family contacted police. Flowers said Hutchinson was officially reported missing on Jan. 12, according to WBTW.
That same day, police received a tip about a possible homicide at a residence in the area, Flowers said in comments reported by WMBF. Investigators initially found little to suggest a crime, noting there were no reports of gunfire or disturbances in the neighborhood, which residents described to WBTW as quiet and largely made up of older residents who keep to themselves.
“Ultimately, another tip led investigators to discover Hutchinson’s body,” Flowers said, according to WMBF.
Marion County Coroner Jerry Richardson said Hutchinson’s body was found inside a trash can outside the Pearl Street home and appeared to have been there for some time, showing signs of decomposition, according to WMBF.
In the days following the discovery, police arrested Jaida Braddy, 41, and charged her with accessory after the fact to a felony or murder in connection with Hutchinson’s death, according to Marion police and multiple reports. Flowers told WMBF that Braddy is accused of helping move Hutchinson to the location where his body was found after he was already deceased.
Jaida Braddy’s mugshot (via
Marion County Detention Center)
Authorities said Braddy is being held at the Marion County Detention Center on a $15,000 surety bond, according to WBTW and WMBF.
“He’s a son, a brother, a cousin — an uncle and a friend to a lot of people up here who loved him tremendously,” Hutchinson’s brother told WBTW. “We prayed this story would have a better ending, and we’ll miss him so much.”
Relatives described Hutchinson as an accomplished barber whose kindness may have left him vulnerable. His brother said the grim circumstances surrounding his death have overshadowed who he was as a person.
“Naive and too trusting, but a good kid who made bad decisions at times, and this time he sadly had to pay the ultimate price for it,” he told WBTW. “The news headlines all flashing ‘man found in trash decomposing’ are extremely upsetting for us. I know it’s captivating, but he was a lot more than that.”
David Hutchinson’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign in the wake of his death, describing the circumstances that led him to South Carolina. According to the page, Hutchinson traveled to the state after a woman he met online promised a business opportunity. Once there, the family says he quickly realized it was a setup, and after an altercation in which his barbering equipment and phone were stolen, he disappeared.
“After being taken for his money, he was dropped off at trap house where his phone was also stolen,” the page states.
Weeks later, his body was discovered just a block from where he was last seen, and authorities confirmed he was the victim of a homicide.
The family says the fund will help cover the costs of bringing Hutchinson’s body home from South Carolina, working with investigators, and arranging a memorial service and burial. “David had a kind heart and the biggest personality. He was loved by all those who knew him and friendly to those who didn’t,” the campaign states. Donations will assist the family in honoring his life and pursuing answers about the events that led to his death.
Flowers said Hutchinson’s death remains under active investigation and interviews are ongoing. Richardson confirmed an autopsy is being conducted to determine the cause and manner of death, with results expected soon, according to WPDE. Police have said additional information will be released once those findings are available.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Barber Murdered After Allegedly Being Lured by Woman Promising Well-Paying Job
Family members say David Hutchinson was lured to South Carolina by online promises of work before his death was discovered outside an abandoned home.
By Jacob Charles
Published: February 8, 2026 8:45 am ET
MARION, SC — What began as a quiet trip south ended in violence for a Massachusetts barber whose family says he left home hopeful and trusting, only to be found weeks later inside a trash can outside an abandoned house in Marion.
The body of David Hutchinson, 32, of Oakham, Massachusetts, was discovered last week at a home on Pearl Street, according to the Marion Police Department and the Marion County Coroner’s Office. Authorities say Hutchinson’s death is being investigated as a homicide, though police have not yet disclosed how he died.
“This isn’t just another statistic,” Hutchinson’s brother told WBTW in an exclusive interview days after the discovery. “David isn’t just a drifter who showed up in town.”
According to Marion Police Chief Tony Flowers, Hutchinson traveled to Marion by bus in December 2025 after connecting online with a woman who encouraged him to come to the area, telling him he could find a well-paying job, as reported by WMBF. Family members told WBTW that Hutchinson left without telling relatives his full plans, expecting to return home in early January.
When they lost contact with him after Dec. 29, Hutchinson’s family contacted police. Flowers said Hutchinson was officially reported missing on Jan. 12, according to WBTW.
That same day, police received a tip about a possible homicide at a residence in the area, Flowers said in comments reported by WMBF. Investigators initially found little to suggest a crime, noting there were no reports of gunfire or disturbances in the neighborhood, which residents described to WBTW as quiet and largely made up of older residents who keep to themselves.
“Ultimately, another tip led investigators to discover Hutchinson’s body,” Flowers said, according to WMBF.
Marion County Coroner Jerry Richardson said Hutchinson’s body was found inside a trash can outside the Pearl Street home and appeared to have been there for some time, showing signs of decomposition, according to WMBF.
In the days following the discovery, police arrested Jaida Braddy, 41, and charged her with accessory after the fact to a felony or murder in connection with Hutchinson’s death, according to Marion police and multiple reports. Flowers told WMBF that Braddy is accused of helping move Hutchinson to the location where his body was found after he was already deceased.
Jaida Braddy’s mugshot (via
Marion County Detention Center)
Authorities said Braddy is being held at the Marion County Detention Center on a $15,000 surety bond, according to WBTW and WMBF.
“He’s a son, a brother, a cousin — an uncle and a friend to a lot of people up here who loved him tremendously,” Hutchinson’s brother told WBTW. “We prayed this story would have a better ending, and we’ll miss him so much.”
Relatives described Hutchinson as an accomplished barber whose kindness may have left him vulnerable. His brother said the grim circumstances surrounding his death have overshadowed who he was as a person.
“Naive and too trusting, but a good kid who made bad decisions at times, and this time he sadly had to pay the ultimate price for it,” he told WBTW. “The news headlines all flashing ‘man found in trash decomposing’ are extremely upsetting for us. I know it’s captivating, but he was a lot more than that.”
David Hutchinson’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign in the wake of his death, describing the circumstances that led him to South Carolina. According to the page, Hutchinson traveled to the state after a woman he met online promised a business opportunity. Once there, the family says he quickly realized it was a setup, and after an altercation in which his barbering equipment and phone were stolen, he disappeared.
“After being taken for his money, he was dropped off at trap house where his phone was also stolen,” the page states.
Weeks later, his body was discovered just a block from where he was last seen, and authorities confirmed he was the victim of a homicide.
The family says the fund will help cover the costs of bringing Hutchinson’s body home from South Carolina, working with investigators, and arranging a memorial service and burial. “David had a kind heart and the biggest personality. He was loved by all those who knew him and friendly to those who didn’t,” the campaign states. Donations will assist the family in honoring his life and pursuing answers about the events that led to his death.
Flowers said Hutchinson’s death remains under active investigation and interviews are ongoing. Richardson confirmed an autopsy is being conducted to determine the cause and manner of death, with results expected soon, according to WPDE. Police have said additional information will be released once those findings are available.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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