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 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.