January 16, 2026

Recent Arrest in West Ashley Homicide Investigation

Charleston, January 16, 2026

Law enforcement has arrested a suspect connected to a West Ashley homicide that occurred on January 10. The suspect was apprehended in Jacksonville, Florida, following a warrant issued by Charleston police. This arrest highlights the ongoing efforts of local authorities to tackle violent crimes in the area. The investigation is part of a broader push to address rising crime rates, following several notable cases in recent months, including those involving multiple arrests in separate homicide investigations.

Charleston

Recent Arrest Made in West Ashley Slaying

Law enforcement officials have recently announced a significant development in a West Ashley homicide investigation. A suspect linked to a slaying that occurred on January 10 was apprehended in Jacksonville, Florida, five days after the incident. The news of this arrest broke within the last 48 hours, highlighting the ongoing efforts by authorities to address violent crime in the region.

Charleston police had previously issued a warrant for the individual’s arrest, leading to the apprehension in Florida. While the identities of the suspect and the victim in this specific January 10 case have not been publicly detailed in the immediate reports, the Charleston Police Department confirmed its investigation into a homicide that took place on January 10, 2026.

Ongoing Efforts to Address Violent Crime in West Ashley

This recent arrest is part of a broader commitment by Charleston law enforcement to investigate and prosecute violent crimes, particularly those occurring in the West Ashley area. The community has seen several notable cases in recent months, with authorities working diligently to bring suspects to justice.

May 2025 Homicide: Janet Crouch Case

One such case involved the homicide of Janet Crouch, which occurred on May 11, 2025, inside a residence on Hollywood Drive in West Ashley. Following an extensive investigation, detectives charged Jean Irene Lesperance, 36, of North Charleston, with murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. Officials confirmed that Ms. Crouch and Mr. Lesperance had been in a romantic relationship prior to the incident.

Further developments in the May 2025 case led to the arrest of Jacinda Francesca Trader, 28, of Saint George, who was also charged with murder. Detectives determined that Ms. Trader provided assistance to Mr. Lesperance in the events leading up to and following Ms. Crouch’s murder. Both suspects were apprehended together in Florence, South Carolina, a collaborative effort involving the Florence County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service. After their arrest, Lesperance and Trader were held at the Florence County Detention Center and were slated for transfer to the Al Cannon Detention Center in Charleston County.

March 2025 Homicide: Cheryl Gatos Case

Earlier in the year, another significant homicide investigation took place in West Ashley following an incident on March 29, 2025. Officers responded to a welfare check request at the MAA Westchase apartment complex, where they discovered a deceased individual who appeared to be the victim of a violent assault. The victim was later identified as Cheryl Gatos, 47 years old.

In a swift response, Jayme Ryan McKinney, 44, of Charleston, was arrested on the same day, March 29, 2025, and charged with murder in connection with Ms. Gatos’s death. Authorities indicated that Mr. McKinney and Ms. Gatos had also been in a relationship.

Other Recent Incidents

Beyond these specific homicide cases, Charleston police have remained active in addressing various criminal activities. On November 1, 2025, a shooting at a Halloween party in downtown Charleston resulted in one fatality and another injury. Separately, the Charleston Police Department also arrested a man on burglary charges following an early morning incident in West Ashley. These events underscore the continuous challenges law enforcement faces in maintaining public safety and order across the city.

FAQs

Q: What is the primary news event in Charleston reported in the last 48 hours?
A: Within the last 48 hours, news emerged of a suspect in the January 10 slaying of a woman in West Ashley who was arrested in Jacksonville, Florida, five days after the incident.

Q: When did the West Ashley slaying, for which a suspect was recently arrested in Florida, occur?
A: The slaying in West Ashley occurred on January 10.

Q: Where was the suspect for the January 10 West Ashley slaying apprehended?
A: The suspect was apprehended in Jacksonville, Florida.

Q: What action did Charleston police take prior to the arrest in Florida?
A: Charleston police issued a warrant for the suspect’s arrest.

Q: What was the outcome of the May 2025 homicide investigation involving Janet Crouch?
A: In connection with the May 11, 2025 homicide of Janet Crouch, Jean Irene Lesperance, 36, and Jacinda Francesca Trader, 28, were arrested in Florence, South Carolina. Both were charged with murder, and Lesperance also faced a charge of possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

Q: Who was the victim in the March 2025 West Ashley homicide?
A: The victim in the March 29, 2025 homicide at the MAA Westchase apartment complex in West Ashley was identified as Cheryl Gatos, 47 years old.

Q: Who was arrested in connection with the March 2025 West Ashley homicide?
A: Jayme Ryan McKinney, 44, of Charleston, was arrested the same day, March 29, 2025, and charged with murder for the homicide of Cheryl Gatos.

Key Features of Recent Charleston Homicide Arrests

Event Date	Location	Victim (if identified)	Suspect(s) (if identified)	Arrest Location	Charges (if identified)
January 10	West Ashley	Unnamed woman	Unnamed suspect	Jacksonville, Florida	Accused of slaying
May 11, 2025	Hollywood Drive, West Ashley	Janet Crouch, 37	Jean Irene Lesperance, 36 Jacinda Francesca Trader, 28	Florence, South Carolina	Murder, Possession of a Weapon (Lesperance)
March 29, 2025	MAA Westchase apartment complex, West Ashley	Cheryl Gatos, 47	Jayme Ryan McKinney, 44	Charleston	Murder
November 1, 2025	Downtown Charleston	One deceased, one injured	Unidentified	N/A	Shooting

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