OC Coroner rules Westminster Death a Homicide

On Sunday night, Nov. 26, 2017, a 74-year-old Westminster woman was discovered dead at her home located at 125 Creekwood Lane in Westminster. A 911 call was made at 4:36pm to Oconee County E-911 Communications reporting this death. Oconee County Emergency Services, Oconee County Sheriff’s Office and Oconee County Coroner’s Office responded to this incident. The deceased had an extensive medical history and there was no obvious injuries observed at the incident location on Sunday afternoon, reports Oconee County Coroner Karl Addis. A secondary exam of the deceased on Monday afternoon, Nov. 27, at the coroner’s office found a questionable injury, which required further investigation. The criminal investigation division of the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office was notified. X-rays were obtained and an autopsy was performed on Wednesday morning, Nov. 29. Addis reports that the autopsy confirmed the deceased died from a single gunshot injury. The decedent is identified as Joann G. McCarthy. Ms. McCarthy was widowed and resided at the incident location alone. Addis says that her manner of death has been classified a homicide.