Death Ruled Homicide for Kidnapping Victim

Coroner, Don McCown, has ruled a woman’s death a homicide after authorities say she jumped from a moving car because she was afraid for her life.

McCown tells News Channel 7 that “Kat” Southerlin died of brain injury as a result of a skull fracture.

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office says Jack Davenport attempted to kidnap the woman and one other person Monday evening.

Deputies say Davenport was arrested and charged with two counts of kidnapping on Monday after a 911 call reported a woman lying unresponsive on the side of an Anderson County Road.  That woman was declared “legally dead” late Tuesday night.  It’s not clear if Davenport will face additional charges.

Davenport was denied bond on Wednesday on kidnapping charges.

Deputies say a passenger who was in the car with Davenport when Southerlin attempted to escape was not charged, but the investigation is ongoing. They declined to name the man.

Deputies say the second woman fled the scene, fearing for her life. Davenport is also charged with kidnapping her.

This is the third time in three months, deputies say, Davenport has been arrested on kidnapping charges. He was out on bond for two other charges: One in September and the other in October.

According to his record, in September Davenport was arrested and charged with assault and battery and kidnapping—an incident deputies say occurred on Highway 88 in Pendleton. Griffin stated in a release the October incident occurred on Shiflet Road in Anderson.

Davenport has been convicted 11 times of various crimes, including assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and possession of drugs.

All told, Davenport has served 3 months and five days of confinement.

Charges in the September and October incidents are still pending and haven’t gone to court.