Lexington, SC (Paul Kirby) – Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher released the identity of the man who was found deceased on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at an abandoned rest area along I-20 westbound. Fisher said Thursday that the deceased was Walter R. Payne Jr., 69, of New London, Ohio.
According to Coroner Fisher, Payne’s body was discovered near a wooded area by a SC state trooper shortly before 8:00 a.m. Wednesday. The rest stop, which is located between the 49 and 48 mile-markers, is routinely monitored by troopers as part of their daily routine.
Coroner Fisher said that an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of Payne's death is scheduled to take place on Friday, September 25th, 2020 at MUSC in Charleston SC. Meanwhile, the Lexington County Sheriff's Department is investigating Payne's death.
