EASLEY — An Easley man, who was arrested on drug charges on Saturday, is now facing additional charges, including murder.
According to Chief Deputy Creed Hashe of the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, 38-year-old Jonathan Richard Rackley was taken into custody on July 13 after deputies responded to a report of a gunshot victim at a residence on Ruby Drive in Easley.
The PCSO states when deputies arrived on scene, an adult female with “significant trauma to the head” was found in an outbuilding behind the residence.
“The victim, who does not reside at the location on Ruby Drive, was transported to the hospital where she was pronounced deceased from what would later be confirmed through an autopsy as a single gunshot wound to the head,” said Hashe.
The Coroner’s office later identified the victim as 37-year-old Jamie Lynn Scruggs, of Greenville.
Detectives continued to investigate the incident throughout the day and determined that the victim was shot while inside the small building typically used for storage and as a meeting place for friends of the residents, he said.
Officials said a .9mm caliber handgun was recovered from the residence and is believed to be the weapon used in the shooting.
Reports state on Saturday Rackley was arrested at the scene on unrelated drug charges and transported to the Pickens County Detention Center to face two charges of Distribution of Meth – Second Offense.
The next day, following investigation, charges were updated to include the murder of Scruggs, as well as Possession of a Weapon During a Violent Crime, officials said.
Rackley remains in the Pickens County Detention Center without bond.
