Elderly woman killed in Christmas home invasion ID’d; FBI offering $20K reward in case

YORK COUNTY, S.C. — A York County woman has died weeks after three people robbed and assaulted her and her husband on Christmas Day. She was later identified as Sarah Childers, 72, of Hickory Grove.

The FBI has increased the reward in the case to $20,000 as law enforcement continues to search for the three suspects.

Deputies responded around 6:20 p.m. Dec. 25 to reports of a home invasion on Smithford Road in Hickory Grove. The home belonged to a 75-year-old man and his 72-year-old wife.

According to deputies, a woman showed up at the couple’s home, claiming she was having car trouble and needed water for her radiator. The male victim offered to help and grabbed a jug of water.

Deputies said as he walked outside to the woman’s car, two men grabbed him and placed a gun to his head. The men then pushed him down and tied him up with string before kicking him several times in the ribs and leg.

Deputies said the victim’s wife, Childers, heard the commotion and ran outside, but her husband yelled for her to close the door. That’s when one of the suspects ran up the stairs and kicked the storm door, shattering the glass.

Deputies said Childers was then pushed down and tied up with a dish towel from the kitchen. The suspects then brought her husband inside and put him on the ground next to her.

According to deputies, the suspects asked where the couple’s valuables were and began rummaging through the home.

Deputies said the men stole a Remington .32 Caliber revolver, a metal cash box with about $300 in change, a silver bracelet with “Mom” engraved on it, a 14-carat gold bracelet, a tennis bracelet with blue stones, three gold wedding bands, two silver wedding bands, two gold necklaces, a brown leather wallet and the car keys to the couple’s 2012 Honda CRV.

The victims told the men their son was on the way and that’s when the suspects left, taking the couple’s car. The SUV was later found abandoned along the side of a nearby road, officials said.

Authorities said Childers died on Jan. 16 due to her injuries from the attack.

No arrests have been made.

The suspects, who should be considered armed and dangerous, were described as follows:

• White woman in her 20s, approximately 5′8″ and 130 pounds with blonde hair. She was wearing dark blue pants and a black hooded sweatshirt.
• White man about 25 to 35 years old, tall with a thin build.
• Black man about 25 to 35 years old, tall with a thin build.
• The men were wearing surgical-style masks, similar to protection from COVID-19. Both men were wearing all black clothing and hooded sweatshirts.

Anyone with information is asked to call the York County Sheriff’s Office at 803-280-6246. You can also contact the FBI’s Columbia Field Office at 803-551-4200.

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