Aiken Fire Death Under Investigation: Victim’s Mother Charged
An Aiken fire is under investigation after a man was found dead Sunday night. His mother is now in custody for allegedly starting the fire. Firefighters were called to the…
LATRINA HOLLINGSWORTH
Aiken County Sheriff's OfficeAn Aiken fire is under investigation after a man was found dead Sunday night. His mother is now in custody for allegedly starting the fire.
Firefighters were called to the 100 block of Kellogg Drive in Aiken at 7:42 pm Sunday.
When firefighters got inside the home, they found the body of 23-year-old Markel Howard of Aiken.
Aiken County Coroner Darryl Ables said Wednesday the fatal fire has been ruled a homicide.
Aiken Fire Deliberately Set
Coroner Darryl Ables pronounced Howard dead at 9:00 pm Sunday and said then the cause of his death was suspicious.
Howard's body was sent to Newberry for an autopsy.
Meanwhile, authorities arrested Howard's mother, 43-year-old Latrina Hollingsworth, the day after the fire. She was initially charged with first degree arson. She is now expected to be charged with her son's death.
A police report accuses Hollingsworth of deliberately setting a table on fire in the home. Investigators say Howard was unable to get out of the burning home and was found dead when firefighters got inside.
A neighbor told police he saw Hollingsworth standing outside watching the home burning.
Hollingsworth, said to be homeless, has had multiple arrests since 2021.
