SC deputy fired, under investigation in cold case

GREENVILLE, S.C. — (AP) — A South Carolina sheriff’s deputy has been fired and is under investigation for his role in a missing person’s case.

Joseph Parrish was fired Wednesday, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Ryan Flood told news outlets.

His termination came after Sheriff Hobart Lewis reopened several cold case investigations, including the case of 83-year-old Rena Beamer, reported missing in summer of 2017.

Flood said that during the Beamer investigation, Parrish failed to do his job and was placed on administrative leave amid an internal investigation. He was fired for “conduct unbecoming” of a deputy, the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

ALSO READ: Catawba Co. deputy fired after officials say he drove drunk, crashed patrol car

“The men and women of this agency are duly sworn to protect the people within Greenville County and are obligated to do so with integrity and service and our office will not tolerate anything less,” Lewis said. “While unfortunate we have to address this, our agency will continue our efforts to assist SLED to ensure the case is resolved with integrity.”

Deputies believe Beamer died in August 2017 and they have charged her caregiver, Beth Beamer, 46, with abuse, neglect and exploitation of a vulnerable adult, desecration or removal of human remains, unauthorized removal of a dead body and obstruction of investigation.

It is not clear how the two Beamers are related.

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division spokesman Tommy Crosby said they are looking into the Parrish case but had no further comment.

(ALSO READ: South Carolina officer fired after one week on job, arrested for drug possession)