Columbia Police Department (CPD) investigators have made arrests in two homicide investigations that were initiated in August, and have charges pending regarding a cold case from 2015.
Police Chief Skip Holbrook says, “Unsolved violent crime, especially homicide, can leave communities feeling vulnerable and fearful; the victim’s family and friends without closure and law enforcement frustrated. Announcing arrests in two recent murders and an unsolved 2015 murder brings important closure for our victim’s loved ones, reassures the public and reaffirms the importance of the work of our officers and investigators.”
Case Information:
916 Huntington Avenue | August 9, 2018
67-year-old Peggy Bowers (DOB: 8-1951) was arrested yesterday and is currently housed at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center (ASGDC) charged with Murder in the death of the victim, identified by the Richland County Coroner Gary Watts as Joan Staub.
On August 9, 2018, Staub was found deceased inside of her Huntington Avenue home.
According to Coroner Watts, Staub died from blunt force trauma to the head. Investigators learned that Bowers and the victim were roommates, and continue to determine a motive for the killing.
DNA evidence collected at the scene and processed by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) contributed to the arrest.
5801 Koon Road | August 7, 2018
The next arrest occurred Thursday, September 13, 2018. As a result, 18-year-old Kershawn Nicole Johnson has been charged with Murder and Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime.
Johnson is accused of shooting the victim, identified by the Richland County Coroner Gary Watts as Brenda Jackson in the upper body. Jackson was found in a wooded area at 5801 Koon Road (near Prescott Road) on August 7, 2018. Forensic evidence and information gathered aided in this arrest.
Johnson is currently housed at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center (ASGDC).
110 Paul Street | September 2015
Also, CPD Investigators recently went to Florida with the assistance of Operation Intercept United States Marshals Service’s Fugitive Task Force to locate 55-year-old Carlos Enrique Lowe. He is in police custody at the Orange County Detention Center in Orlando, Florida on a Fugitive from Justice warrant.
Once extradited to South Carolina, Lowe will officially be charged with Murder, First Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct, Kidnapping and First Degree Burglary. CPD is working with Florida law enforcement on extradition arrangements.
Lowe is accused of breaking into Ann Marie Johnson’s home where he allegedly sexually assaulted and murdered her between the dates of September 28 and 29, 2015.
Lowe has been identified as a previous acquaintance of the victim. DNA evidence aided in this arrest.
All persons arrested/charged are presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty in a court of law.