Greenville woman found dead in abandoned home was strangled, coroner says
A woman found dead in an abandoned home on South Leach Street Saturday was strangled to death, according to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office.
Susan Elaine Donald, 69, of Greenville, died after she was deprived of oxygen from strangulation, according to a statement from the Coroner’s Office Wednesday.
After an autopsy was performed on Monday, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.
Ricky Dick McCullough, 63, of Greenville, was charged with criminal sexual conduct and murder, according to warrants obtained by the Greenville Police Department.
Police said McCullough and Donald were recent acquaintances.
McCullough struck Donald in the face and strangled her then proceeded to sexually assault her, according to arrest warrants.
Neighbors near the home where Donald was found said she was nice to everyone she met and never met a stranger.
"She was always friendly with everyone, a very nice person, and always spoke," Barbara Barton said.
Barton said she had lived on the same block as Donald since 2009 and remembers seeing her sit on her front porch each morning.
McCullough was arrested Tuesday night and is being held at the Greenville County Detention Center, according to jail records.
Check back for more on this developing story.
Reporter A.J. Jackson contributed to this story.
Tamia Boyd is a Michigan native who covers breaking news in Greenville. Email her at tboyd@gannett.com, and follow her on Twitter @tamiamb.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Greenville woman found in abandoned home Saturday was strangled
