Oconee County Sheriff’s Office Arrests West Union Man on Involuntary Manslaughter Charge

Matthew Scott Chastain

(Walhalla, SC)-------------------------------------A West Union man was arrested last Friday afternoon on a charge of Involuntary Manslaughter.

46 year old Matthew Scott Chastain, of Welborn Road, was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center on April 11th at around 12:37pm.  Chastain received a $35,000 surety bond during a bond hearing.  Chastain was released from jail Monday morning after posting bond.

Deputies from the Uniform Patrol Bureau responded to reports of a possible cardiac arrest at an address on Welborn Road during the morning of January 23rd of this year. When Deputies made entry into the residence, they observed an adult male lying in the floor of the residence.

Deputies began life saving measures on the man until paramedics arrived and continued life saving measures.  The victim was later declared dead and the Oconee County Coroner’s Office was notified as well as the Criminal Investigations Bureau of the Sheriff’s Office.

An autopsy was conducted to assist with the death investigation.  An Investigator from the Criminal Investigations Bureau was assigned to the case to assist an Agent with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division in the investigation.

Based upon evidence obtained during the investigation, it was determined that the victim had bruising and injuries on various parts of his body.  After consultations with the 10th Circuit Solicitor’s Office and a Magistrate Judge, an arrest was obtained against Chastain for Involuntary Manslaughter.

According to an arrest warrant obtained by an Investigator from the Sheriff’s Office, Chastain caused the death of the victim by beating him on his chest and upper torso, causing the internal injuries that were unsurvivable.

Further information on the deceased can be obtained through the Oconee County Coroner’s Office.  The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation.