Denmark, SC Jarrett Haskell Davis, 28, pleaded guilty on Monday to the murder of his girlfriend Megan Bodiford, 25. He also admitted to charges of possession of a weapon during a violent crime, third-degree arson, and desecration of human remains.
Davis received a sentence of 43 years in prison for the murder, with additional time added for the other charges. Bodiford was reported missing on or around April 25, when she was last seen in Denmark, approximately 60 miles south of Columbia.
Before her disappearance, Bodiford sent a text to a friend stating, “If you don’t hear from me in 30 minutes, he killed me.” That message included a warning that Davis had a gun.
Bodiford had a four-month-old baby and was experiencing domestic issues in her relationship with Davis, according to her family. Friends noted her reaching out for help prior to her death.
Davis was apprehended after police located a burned-out car containing Bodiford’s remains about two miles from her residence.
Bodiford’s family expressed frustration with law enforcement, claiming that Davis had a domestic violence arrest warrant at the time. They believe that his prior arrest could have prevented Bodiford’s murder.
Bodiford was a mother to three daughters, ages 7, 4, and 4 months. Family members wished to remember her as a caring mother and a beloved friend.