A 17-year-old has been charged with murder following the death of 13-year-old Daryl Martinez Lowry at a boat dock in Modoc, South Carolina. Authorities found Daryl’s body near Modoc Shores on J. Strom Thurmond Lake—also known as Clarks Hill Lake—at approximately 7 a.m. on Monday, July 20, 2026.
According to arrest warrants, Daryl became involved in a physical confrontation with 17-year-old Landen Austin Moore and an unidentified 16-year-old at the lake dock. Investigators allege that Daryl suffered knife-related lacerations during the altercation before Moore and the younger teenager held his head underwater. These allegations have not yet been proven in court.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division arrested Moore and charged him with murder. He was booked into the McCormick County Detention Center and denied bond by a magistrate, although a Circuit Court judge can consider bond at a later hearing. The 16-year-old was transferred to the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice. Because that suspect is a minor, authorities have not publicly released the teenager’s name or complete charging information. WRDW reported that the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office will prosecute the case.
Recent reporting has also placed Daryl’s death under scrutiny because all three teenagers were reportedly in foster care. Daryl was allegedly staying temporarily at the home of McCormick County Council Chairman Bernie Hamby while awaiting another placement. Moore and the 16-year-old were also reportedly foster children living at the residence. Hamby had not publicly addressed the allegations when People reported on the case.
The McCormick County sheriff requested that SLED take control of the investigation because of what officials described as a conflict of interest involving parties connected to the case. Authorities have not publicly explained the conflict in detail. SLED has said the investigation remains active, while records requests concerning the incident have been referred to the state agency.
Daryl’s relatives remembered him as a loving, charismatic child who remained close to his parents, family and friends. His death has prompted demands for justice as well as questions about the supervision, safety and placement procedures surrounding children in South Carolina’s foster-care system. Investigators have not disclosed a suspected motive, and Moore’s plea or legal representation had not been publicly confirmed as of July 23.
