At a news conference at Columbia Police Department (CPD) Headquarters today, Police Chief W.H. ‘Skip’ Holbrook announced murder charges for a man accused of shooting his girlfriend, Angela Fuller, who was initially reported missing last month.
This afternoon, 55-year-old suspect Anthony Reese was charged with Murder, Unauthorized Removal of a Dead Body, Possession of a Weapon during a Violent Crime, and Possession of a Stolen Pistol. Reese remains housed at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center (ASGDC).
Chief Holbrook says, “The Fuller family has been very vocal on social media about the case and has gained strength from the outpouring of public support. I thank them for being patient with us and allowing our investigators to do their jobs.”
Case Recap:
On the evening of August 31, 2025, a relative reported victim Angela Fuller missing to the Columbia Police Department (CPD) after not hearing from her since August 29, 2025.
The case was immediately assigned to the Special Victims Unit (SVU) and subsequently, the Violent Crimes Against Persons Unit (VCAP).
Later on August 31, CPD investigators were alerted to Ms. Fuller’s vehicle being seen in a parking lot near Beltline and Covenant Rd. It was around the same time Fuller was last seen with her boyfriend, Anthony Reese. As a result, Reese’s vehicle information was broadcast for officers to locate.
A short time later, CPD officers found the suspect’s vehicle in the Broad River Road area, and upon CPD initiating a traffic stop, Reese fled, and a pursuit began. The pursuit ended with a crash in the Town of Lexington.
The Lexington County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO), Lexington Police Department (LPD) Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD), and the SC Highway Patrol (SCHP) assisted CPD in the pursuit.
A firearm was recovered from Reese’s vehicle; that firearm has been determined as the murder weapon in the Fuller case. Immediately following the police pursuit, suspect Reese was charged with Failure to Stop for Blue Lights and Siren, Use of License Plate other than Vehicle Issued, Unlawful Carrying of a Pistol (for a firearm found in the vehicle), and Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon (Title 18-USC922-G1)
Due to the last charge, Reese has remained behind bars and was federally indicted yesterday for the charge of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Criminal History:
Reese has several convictions, most notably for assault, burglary – second degree, criminal domestic violence of a high & aggravated nature, resisting arrest, and unlawful carrying of a pistol.
During the course of the investigation, teams of investigators, officers, and support staff launched an extensive search for Fuller, checking a total of 97 locations in just one day, including vacant lots and buildings, based on information gathered throughout the case.
On September 11, 2025, CPD officers continued searching for Ms. Fuller, locating her remains in a wooded area along Shakespeare Road in northeast Richland County. The discovery was made by CPD officers based on new information and evidence reviewed.
Chief Holbrook adds, “This tragic discovery marked the end of an intense and deeply emotional search.”
Simultaneously, DNA and other forensic evidence that CPD investigators found and collected were being analyzed by CPD and Agents at the SLED lab. In particular, blood found in Fuller’s vehicle was tested and confirmed as being her blood and DNA.
According to the Richland County Coroner’s Office, Fuller was fatally shot in the upper body.
CPD investigators reviewed more than 500 hours’ worth of surveillance video that showed Reese and Fuller traveling together around the City of Columbia in the victim’s vehicle.
Based on that and additional evidence, we believe Fuller was killed between the time she was last seen on August 29, 2025, and reported missing on August 31, 2025.
All persons arrested/charged are presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty in a court of law.