Body of Missing Myrtle Beach Woman Found Buried Under Firepit; Resident Charged for Murder

A chilling discovery saw the conclusion of a more than two-year-long missing person case as police revealed that the remains of Penni Whiteside, who mysteriously disappeared in 2022, were discovered buried under a firepit at her own home in Myrtle Beach. The unexpected recovery lead to the arrest of her then-roommate, 54-year-old Sheridan Dirk Fogle, who was taken into custody on Thursday and charged with her murder.

Penni Whiteside’s Sudden Disappearance in May 2022

Based on information from Whiteside’s Facebook page, she had plans to relocate from Surfside Beach, South Carolina to the sunny Myrtle Beach. By May 2022, Whiteside was reported missing and her last known contact was January 3, 2022, which initiated an immediate investigation by Myrtle Beach police. The fate of Whiteside remained unknown for over two years until an anonymous informant led law enforcement to search her residence, where she once lived with Fogle.

Uncovering the Truth: Discovery of Whiteside’s Remains

Acting on the suspicion that the missing woman might be buried under a firepit in Whiteside’s backyard, the police secured a search warrant for the property on June 12. During the excavation, human remains were discovered, and last Thursday, the Horry County Coroner’s Office confirmed that the remains belonged to Whiteside. On the same day, Fogle was located and arrested in Orangeburg, South Carolina, approximately 140 miles west of Myrtle Beach.

Following the devastating revelation, police urged the community to continue praying for Whiteside’s family and friends, describing Whiteside’s case as a “tragic loss of life” and a “senseless crime of violence”.

Whiteside’s Cause of Death, Murder Motive, and Court Proceedings: Yet to be Determined

While Fogle is in custody and charged with the murder of Whiteside, the cause and manner of death are still undisclosed. It also remains unclear whether law enforcement has established a motive for the crime.

Fogle made his initial court appearance on Friday, where a judge declined to set bail, leaving Fogle in custody until his next court date on October 25.

Shocked at Whiteside’s death, local resident Nikolai Zaitsev voiced his disbelief. “You have kids playing at the park here every day, and birthday parties, weddings,” he said. “And I’m sure nobody around here had a clue about what was actually going on.”