Former South Carolina high school principal charged with killing wife he reported missing

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. — A former high school principal in South Carolina who reported his wife missing has been charged with killing her.

James "Stan" Yarborough, 64, is charged with murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime and obstruction of justice in connection with the death of 63-year-old Karen Yarborough, Summerville police Lt. Shaun Tumbleston told WCSC-TV.

Stan Yarborough called police Tuesday morning to his Summerville home and said he hadn't seen his wife since 8 p.m. the previous evening, when she said she was going on a walk, according to an incident report. Police searched Karen Yarborough's walking route but found no signs of her, The Post and Courier of Charleston reported.

As police were talking with Stan Yarborough, they noticed a red stain on his shirt, the incident report said. When asked about it, Yarborough reportedly told police that he must have gotten blood on his shirt because he uses blood thinners.

Police searched the house and found a single bullet of unknown caliber on the floor of the Yarboroughs' bedroom with no shell casing nearby, according to the report. Police said Yarborough told them he doesn't have a gun and didn't know why the bullet would be there.

Police also found damage to the vehicles parked outside, as well as broken flower pots and a wheelbarrow, the report said.

Yarborough was arrested on suspicion of obstruction of justice.

Later Tuesday, a body was found in an unincorporated area of nearby Dorchester County, WCBD-TV reported. Dorchester County Coroner Paul Brouthers identified the body as Karen Yarborough and said she was the victim of an apparent homicide. An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday morning.

Stan Yarborough was principal at Summerville High School from 1994 to 1998 and then was Dorchester District 2 facilities director from 1998 to 2002 before retiring, The Post and Courier reported.

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