Zonnie T. Cyrus, 22, was found dead on November 19, 2022, near a pond on Hi-land Farm Road in Saluda County. An autopsy determined he had been shot multiple times and investigators ruled his death a homicide. Cyrus was a Ridge Spring resident and a former football player at Ridge Spring-Monetta High School; his death shocked the small Monetta community.

The Saluda County Sheriff’s Office, the Saluda County Coroner’s Office, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division investigated the case. In December 2022 two men were taken into custody: Earl Valentine was charged with murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, and Montavis Barnes was charged with accessory to murder after the fact. No motive has been publicly released.

If anyone knew Zonnie, was in the area of Hi-land Farm Road that week, or has information that could help the investigation, please share what is known.