Crystal Marie Kuykendall, 39, of Pelzer, South Carolina, was found dead in a ditch at the intersection of Level Land Road and Wright School Road in the early morning hours of a late April day in 2017. The coroner determined she died of a gunshot wound to the head and that she bled to death; investigators concluded quicker medical help might have saved her.

Kuykendall had been driving a pickup truck with two passengers, another woman and 31-year-old Zachary Earl Powell of Williamston. The woman sitting between Kuykendall and Powell told police an argument had escalated over the day and over the intended destination after Powell put gas in the truck. The witness said Powell reached across her and shot Kuykendall. Powell then drove off in Kuykendall’s truck, leaving the surviving witness to seek help from a nearby house.

Law enforcement searched the area with deputies in tactical gear and a SLED dog team. Anderson police located and arrested Zachary Earl Powell later that day; he was charged with murder, grand larceny and two counts of probation violation and booked at the Anderson County Detention Center. Powell and Kuykendall were described as acquaintances.

If anyone knew Crystal, Powell, or was in the area that night, please come forward with information.