Crime & Safety

Murder Suspect Faces Additional Charges

Billy Burch faces numerous felonies connected to the murder of Alice Owenby.

The 40-year-old Taylors man charged with shooting a woman to death last month is now facing several other felony charges, the Greenville County Sheriff's Office announced Friday.

Billy Burch is accused of shooting 63-year-old Alice Owenby to death inside her Taylors home. responded to a fire call sent at 301 McConnell Road, and though firefighters initially thought the home was unoccupied, by 9 a.m., the Taylors Fire Department had contacted arson investigators with the Greenville County Sheriff's Office. Owenby's body was discovered buried beneath several feet of rubble in the bathroom of the home. She had been shot multiple times in the head.

Burch was for the murder.

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Her car was found stolen on Packs Mountain Road, in the Tigerville area of Taylors. Investigators believe Burch stole the vehicle during the incident, which has led them to add a charge of grand larceny of an automobile to the murder charge he already faces.

He has also now been charged with third-degree arson for allegedly setting fire to Oweby's home after he shot her, as well as possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a violent crime and first-degree burglary.

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He remained in jail at the Greenville County Detention Center on Friday. He is awaiting arraignment on the additional charges.


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