Three arrested after man found dead in trunk of vehicle

Three arrested after man found dead in trunk of vehicle

SUMTER, SC (WIS) - Sumter police have arrested 3 people, including a brother and sister, in connection with the murder of a Sumter man whose body was found in the trunk of his own car Wednesday night. 

Family members reported the victim, 34-year-old William Eric Robinson, missing on Wednesday afternoon after not seeing him since Tuesday night.

Robinson's family told police that while driving around looking for the victim, they discovered his 2011 Nissan Altima in the parking lot of Gionwood Apartments in the Mallwood community. Upon investigation, police found Robinson's body in the trunk of his vehicle.

Police said 26-year-old Jacob Lee Terry and his sister, 28-year-old Jacolyn Jacobus were arrested Wednesday night. Terry is charged with Murder and Jacobus is charged with Accessory after the fact of Murder. Police also arrested 28-year-old Travis Bracey and charged him with Obstruction of Justice.

The police department is not releasing a motive for the murder, but said Terry was the last person to be seen with the victim Tuesday night.

Both Terry and Jacobus made statements implicating themselves in their involvement in the crime, according to police. Investigators said Travis Bracey lied to police about what he knew about the death of Robinson.

The coroner was expected to conduct an autopsy Thursday to determine a cause of death.

All three suspects are being held at the Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center awaiting bond hearings.

The investigation is ongoing. The Sumter Police Department urges anyone with additional information surrounding this incident or others to please come forward. You can contact the authorities by calling Crimestoppers at 803-436-2718 or the Sumter City Police Department's Detective Division at 803-436-2717 or 436-2790. Callers may remain anonymous.