Investigators Asks for the Public’s Help in Attempts to Solve 2002 Homicide

Worth Street Residence

(Walhalla, SC)-------------------------------------The Unsolved Case Unit of the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help today as it continues an investigation into an unsolved 2002 murder that occurred near Seneca. 

According to information previously released by the Sheriff’s Office, the body of Charles Ellis “Tubby” Raines was discovered inside of his home on Worth Street, which is near Highway 123 and what was then known as the Town and Country Motel, on August 29^th, 2002.  Mr. Raines, who was 45 years old at the time he was killed, was found shot to death.

Investigators discovered during the course of the investigation that Mr. Raines was most likely killed on August 28^th, 2002. 

Over the years, Investigators have developed possible persons of interest or suspects but so far, there have been no arrests and no one has been charged with Mr. Raines' death, which was ruled a homicide. 

If you have any information on the murder of Charles Ellis “Tubby” Raines, please submit a tip to Crimestoppers at 1-844-71-CRIME or online at 71crime.com.  You don’t have to give your name when you contact Crimestoppers and all information provided is confidential.  If your tip leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward. 

You are also welcome to reach out directly to Sgt. Barry Owens, who is an Investigator in the Unsolved Case Unit, by e-mail at bowens@oconeelaw.com. 

In 2021, the Unsolved Case and Missing Person’s Unit was created by Sheriff Mike Crenshaw with Captain Jimmy Dixon and Sgt. Owens heading up the unit in order to investigate missing person’s cases and to put a fresh set of eyes on the unsolved cases at the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office. 

The goal of the Unsolved Case Unit is to solve the current unsolved cases and to arrest or shed light on those responsible for these crimes and hold them accountable, if possible, while also attempting to bring closure to the families of the victims.

In 2026, the Unsolved Case Unit has closed two previous unsolved cases.  Back on February 23^rd, the Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 33 year old Coax Arnold Sanford, V on charges of Murder and Possession of a Violent Crime in the December 20^th, 2015 shooting death of Jesse Eugene Mulkey.

On March 11^th, the Sheriff’s Office announced that the Unsolved Case Unit, after consultations with the 10^th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, closed the 2002 homicide investigation of Bruce Gaines Marett.  James Forrest Ritchie, who died in his home state of West Virginia in March of 2017, was identified as a suspect in Mr. Marett’s death and probable cause did exist to charge Ritchie with Murder.  However, due to the fact that Ritchie is deceased, the case involving Mr. Marett was closed due to death by offender.