Missing Greenville Man was Murdered

Wife Still Missing

ANDERSON, S.C. – An autopsy revealed that the death of a missing Greenville County man, whose body was found in a wooded area on Asaville School Road in Anderson on Sunday, is a homicide. According to the Coroner’s Office, the man, Homer L. Staton, 72, of 1 Graystone Way, Taylors, SC, died of blunt force trauma.

Staton’s unoccupied vehicle, a black 2007 Toyota Corolla, was found with blood stains on the interior on Horton Road, Belton, around 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 24.  Sheriff’s investigators, attempting to locate the owner, went to Staton’s home in Taylors and met with Greenville County investigators there.  During a meeting with family members, it was learned that Homer Staton and his wife, Jo Ann M. Staton, 69, were last seen in Greenville County during the afternoon on the previous day.  A Missing Person investigation was initiated by the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office at that time.

Around 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, Anderson sheriff’s deputies responded to Asaville School Road regarding a call of a deceased man in a wooded area off the roadway.  The man was identified as Homer Staton. A search of that area for more evidence began this morning at 9:00.  No additional information or evidence has been gleaned.

Investigators ask that anyone who has seen the couple, or their vehicle, over the weekend, as well as those who have information about the death, to call the Anderson Sheriff’s Office at 864-260-440 or either the Greenville or Anderson CrimeStoppers.