Oconee County Sheriff’s Office Charges Salem Man with Murder

Dustin Wayne Wesley Turpin

(Walhalla, SC)-------------------------------------A Salem man remains in jail today, pending a bond hearing, after being charged with Murder and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

35 year old Dustin Wayne Wesley Turpin, of N. Lake Drive, was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center around 8pm Tuesday.  Turpin was transported from the Charleston County Detention Center to the Oconee County Detention Center yesterday. 

The Sheriff’s Office investigation began on Friday evening, December 15th, 2023 after Deputies from the Uniform Patrol Bureau responded to the N. Lake Drive residence in regards to a welfare check on Turpin. Deputies were informed that Turpin had made comments that he had killed an adult female. 

Deputies made contact with Turpin, who was in possession of a firearm.  At that time, Deputies did not discover any evidence that a crime had been committed and Turpin was transported to the hospital for further evaluation. 

The Criminal Investigations Bureau was notified and a Violent Crimes Investigator began an investigation into the murder allegations.  Attempts were made to locate the reported victim, 28 year old Kandace Nicole Adams of Seneca.  Kandace was also entered as a Missing Person in the National Crimes Information Center database. 

Based upon information provided to Investigators, human remains were discovered in Transylvania County, NC.  Based upon a preliminary examination of the remains, Investigators believe that the remains are those of the victim, Kandace Nicole Adams.  The remains have been transported to Winston-Salem, NC for further examination. 

Based upon evidence that was gathered in the case, Investigators obtained arrest warrants against Turpin.  According to an arrest warrant, Turpin killed Adams by striking her in the head and then disposed of the body.  Turpin is also a convicted felon and cannot be in possession of a firearm.

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation.  According to the Criminal Investigations Bureau, the murder is not connected to any other Missing Person’s investigations.