Private investigator on Erica Parsons remains found: 'Strangers knew before the family

PAGELAND, S.C. — The private investigator hired by some members of Erica Parsons' family last November is worried law enforcement has unnecessarily cut a deal with Sandy Parsons.

David Marshburn is relieved Erica’s remains have been recovered, but he said a deal was not necessary.

"If a deal's been cut, that's pure shameful on our justice system," Marshburn said.

The private investigator contacted Channel 9 several weeks ago to say he was focused on the property in Pageland, South Carolina, where Erica was ultimately recovered.

Marshburn said a property search linked Sandy Parsons to the land through his mother.

He believed whoever buried Erica would go to a location that was familiar.

Marshburn planned to conduct a grid search of the property with 200 people, but said when he notified investigators they told him to wait.

He's also not happy that Erica's remains were recovered on Tuesday but, he said, some of the family wasn't notified until late Thursday night.

"From what we're gathering, strangers knew before the family," Marshburn said.

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