ORANGEBURG, SC – Imani Gleaton, 18, had been missing since July 10th and this week, police have arrested her killer, 18 year old Jykeem Johnson, 18. After a months-long search, Sheriff LeRoy Ravenell announced the grim update in the case.
“It is with my deepest regret and sorrow that I have to say we are no longer searching for Imani Gleaton, a young lady reported missing in July,” Ravenell said. “It pains me to say we have brought her home, but we have also made an arrest in her murder.”
Johnson had been charged with other crimes in the week and confessed to deputies that he killed Gleaton and buried her body near Elloree, South Carolina. Ravenell said he was on sight when the teen’s body was unearthed. It is suspected that Gleaton was killed one day after she went missing, on July 11th.
“My heart just breaks for any parent living this nightmare,” he added. “As I watched this child being unearthed, I thought ‘this was just a wicked and evil act.’”