Jeffrey Morris Williamson, Lila Ann Gunter Obituary, Death Cause – The Lexington County Coroner’s Office has released the names of three individuals who tragically lost their lives in separate fire incidents over the past week. Coroner Margaret Fisher confirmed the identities in a statement, as investigators from multiple agencies continue to examine the circumstances surrounding each case.
The first victim was identified as 50-year-old Jeffrey Morris Williamson. According to officials, Williamson was involved in a fire that broke out at the Acapulco Campground in Lexington County on September 9. He was transported to the Augusta Burn Center, where he succumbed to his injuries the following day, September 10. The Lexington County Fire Service, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are leading the investigation into the cause of that blaze.
The second fatality occurred just a few days later. On September 13, 65-year-old Lila Ann Gunter died in a house fire on the 1600 block of B Avenue in West Columbia. Emergency responders found Gunter at the scene, but she was pronounced dead shortly after the fire was extinguished. Authorities say her death is being investigated by the West Columbia Police Department, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and the Lexington County Coroner’s Office. No additional details have yet been released about what may have caused the fire.
The third victim was identified as 74-year-old Luther Vern Price, who died in a separate house fire in Gilbert on September 14. The fire broke out at a home on Schofield Road, and Price’s body was discovered after firefighters brought the flames under control. He was pronounced dead at the scene. That case is currently under joint investigation by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, the Lexington County Fire Service, SLED, ATF, and the Coroner’s Office.
Officials have not stated whether foul play is suspected in any of the three cases, but each fire remains under active investigation. Multiple agencies are working to analyze fire scenes, collect evidence, and determine possible ignition sources. Autopsies are being conducted to confirm official causes of death and to provide clarity for investigators and families alike.
The close timing of the incidents has raised alarm in the community, as three lives were lost within a span of less than a week. While the fires are unrelated, the tragedies have left families and neighbors mourning, while also highlighting the dangers that house fires and accidental blazes can pose.
Authorities stress that fire prevention remains a critical safety measure. Ensuring that smoke detectors are installed and functioning, keeping fire extinguishers in the home, and developing an escape plan are among the key recommendations for reducing the risk of fatalities in fire emergencies.
As the investigations continue, Coroner Fisher and her office expressed condolences to the families of Williamson, Gunter, and Price. The findings of the separate probes are expected to shed light on how each of these deadly fires began and whether preventive measures could help avoid similar tragedies in the future.
