The suspect is the father of one of the murdered victims, an 11-year-old girl.
A homicide investigation is underway after six people were found dead at the scene of a house fire in Colleton County, South Carolina, the local sheriff’s office said.
A seventh victim, a 13-year-old boy, survived the attack in Green Pond, about 40 miles west of Charleston, and was hospitalized in critical condition, the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office said .
Officials block a road near the scene of a stabbing and house fire in Colleton County, SC, on July 2, 2023, that left six people dead and another seriously injured.
WCIV
When authorities responded to a 911 call Sunday about a stabbing and a fire, they found the house fully engulfed in flames and the lone survivor outside, Colleton County Sheriff Guerry “Buddy” said Hill Jr. at a press conference on Monday.
Firefighters work a house fire in Colleton County, SC, on July 2, 2023, that left six people dead and another seriously injured.
Colleton County Fire Department
The surviving teenager, who suffered stab wounds and cuts, told police the suspect’s first name and said the victims had been stabbed, the sheriff said.
The suspect, Ryan Manigo, 33, was arrested nearby, the sheriff said.
Firefighters respond to a house fire in Colleton County, SC on July 2, 2023 that left six people dead and another seriously injured.
Colleton County Fire Department
Manigo is the father of one of the slain victims — an 11-year-old girl — and the brother-in-law of another slain victim, the sheriff said.
Ryan Manigo in a Colleton County Police booking photo released on July 3, 2023.
Colleton County Police Department
No motive is known, the sheriff said.
Manigo has been charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder, and more charges are expected, prosecutor Duffie Stone said. Manigo is being held without bail.
“He will never be forgiven,” a relative of the victims said at Manigo’s bond hearing Monday.
“I wish you dead. I would like you to be given the death penalty… We hate you,” he said.
“I just want to know why,” said another family member.
