A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded in Spartanburg County, SC, on Friday, March 28, 2025, when authorities discovered the bodies of three family members inside their home on Marilyn Perry Lane. The victims, 9-year-old Samantha Samarel, her mother Lina Maria Samarel, 45, and father Richard Samarel, 54, were found in what investigators are treating as a homicide case.
The grim discovery occurred around 11:30 a.m., after a concerned neighbor alerted deputies to suspicious activity at the residence. First responders arrived to find the victims deceased in a violent scene. Officials believe the deaths occurred between 10:20 a.m. and 11:29 a.m., while other family members were away at school.
Samantha, a third-grade student at Dorman School District, was remembered fondly by her classmates and teachers. Principal Marcia Thompson shared, "She was a bright light in our classroom." The news has left the tight-knit community devastated.
As the investigation continues, authorities are focused on uncovering the cause of death. Crime scene technicians have been processing the property, and an autopsy will be conducted on March 31, 2025, at the Spartanburg Medical Examiner’s Office.
A candlelight vigil was held at Reidville Park for those wishing to pay their respects and mourn the loss of this beloved family. The Spartanburg County community remains in shock as they await further updates on this tragic event.
