Coroner identifies human remains found behind Lee Street home; police seek help from community

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Human remains found in a downtown Charleston neighborhood earlier this month have been identified, but the search for those responsible continues.

The skeletal remains of 67-year-old Everette Lee Stover were found in the backyard of a vacant Lee Street home on March 4.

Detectives with the Charleston Police Department believe Stover died sometime after Oct. 1, 2024, and that he was the victim of a violent assault.

Charleston County Coroner Bobbi Jo O’Neal said an examination of the remains found that Stover suffered some type of trauma. His death is being investigated as a homicide.

Stover lived in Charleston for most of his life, according to the Charleston Police Department. They said his friends and family shared that he struggled with addiction after being partially crashed by a forklift.

As the investigation continues, detectives are looking to speak with three of his known associates: Michael James Snell, 49, of California; Jerry Alvin Jones, Jr., 43, of North Carolina; and Barbare Crystall Surrett, 37, of North Carolina. Police ask that anyone who may know their whereabouts contact the department.

“The attack on Mr. Stover was a brutal and senseless crime. Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Charleston Police Department at 843-720-2422 and request to speak with the on-duty Central Detective,” Charleston Police said.

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