The Washington County Sheriff Department released a statement Tuesday, saying they were investigating the discovery of two deceased bodies in a storage locker in the 2000 block of East Reed Rd, near Beauchamp.
In the statement released by the Sherriff’s Department, they said the identification of the bodies was unclear, but Deputies were actively combing through the crime scene for evidence.
By Thursday morning, Chief Billy Barber said that number had grown to three.
During their investigation, Chief Barber said they discovered that the storage shed was rented by Albert Creath, who owned Creath Memorial Chapel.
The Chapel, which likely went out of business shortly before Creath rented the storage shed in November of 2024.
His business was located at 138 N Harvey St. in Greenville.
Almost a year before the rental, on Nov. 30, 2023, a complaint was filed with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) concerning a cremation and a $3,000 refund on a casket and a death certificate that was never given to the family.
In the complaint, the family member who filed it said that Creath has sighted financial problems concerning the refund, but promised to make it right.
The BBB file was never addressed by Creath, nor was it resolved, so the BBB file remains open.
Chief Barber said the three bodies discovered in the shed were all linked to Creath’s rental unit.
“Three bodies that have been associated with that particular unit,” Barber said. “Creath will be
going in front of the judge at some point for an arraignment.”
At the arraignment, Laverne Simpson, the Judge presiding over the hearing, said that only family members were allowed inside the courtroom.
“We are not a court of record, we don’t hold transcripts,” Judge Simpson said.”So we will not allow the media to come in.”
Officers led Creath out of a back door of the justice court with a $600,000 bond. He was returned to the Washington County Correctional Facility..
Chief Barber expressed his disbelief that something like this could happen here.
“35 years. I've been in this business, 35 years, first time for everything. That's my first time even encountering something like this here,” Chief Barber said. “I've heard of it in other places, but I've never personally been involved in it until now.”
Mayor Errick Simmons released a public statement about the incident.
“The discovery of human remains in a storage unit in our city is deeply disturbing and raises serious concerns that demand a thorough investigation. My thoughts and prayers are with the families who may be affected by this tragic situation.
