A'SHA RUCKER - 17 yo (2009) - Williamston SC

Williamston police are looking for a missing teen who never showed up for school.

A’sha Rucker, 17, of Williamston, was reported missing Wednesday
after her car was found abandoned at Caroline Community Center in
Williamston. Investigators say Rucker did not show up to school at
Palmetto High School that day.

Capt. Phillip Brown, with the Williamston Police Department, said
Rucker is not considered a run away. Williamston police are actively
looking for her and the investigation is ongoing.

Rucker is described as 5’ 2,” and weighing 129 pounds. She was last
seen wearing, purple glasses, a grey shirt, burgundy sweat pants and a
brown bomber-type jacket with a furry collar.

An Amber Alert has been issued for Rucker. Anyone with any
information about Rucker should contact the Williamston Police
Department at 847-7425, or Rucker’s mother, LaVette Rucker, at 202-8344.

Williamston Police are trying to find a teenager who was reported missing after he car was found abandoned in Anderson County.

Authorities are trying to find A’sha Rucker, 17, of Williamston who
did not show up for class Wednesday at Palmetto High School.
Williamston Police say they don’t consider Rucker to be a runaway
according to our coverage partners at The Independent-Mail.



A’sha is described as an African-American girl, 5’2” and weighs 129
pounds. Her family and friends say they searched and found A’sha’s
personal belongings along the side of Cherokee Road. That included her
shoes, wallet, purse, cds and glasses. her mother says A’sha never goes
anywhere without her glasses.

A’sha’s mother says authorities found Rucker’s car abandoned at
Caroline Community Center in Williamston. Investigators had been
checking Rucker’s phone records and she checked her voicemail
throughout the day Thursday according to the newspaper.

Her mother, LaVette Rucker, said she is worried because this is unlike A’sha to vanish without a word.

Anyone with any information can contact the Williamston Police Department at 847-7425 or LaVette Rucker at 202-8344.

A community search effort got under way on Friday for a 17-year-old missing since Wednesday.

A'sha Rucker

A'sha Rucker was last seen that morning at her home on Crescent Drive in Williamston, according to police.Her
car was found later that day after workers at Williamston's Caroline
Community Center located at 1 School Street reported an abandoned
vehicle in the parking lot.Rucker's mother told News 4 that the
disappearance is completely out of character for her daughter. She also
said she believes that something has happened to her.Rucker is
described as 5 feet 2 inches tall and about 130 pounds. She wears
purple glasses and was last seen wearing a gray shirt, burgundy sweat
pants and a brown bomber-type jacket with a fur collar.The organized search for Rucker began on Friday morning along Ida Tucker Road and Cherokee Road in Williamston.Police
said they do not consider Rucker a runaway but they also said at this
point they have no indication that any foul play is involved in her
disappearance.Police have checked Ruckers cell phone records and found that messages were being retrieved.They are asking anyone with information to call the Williamston Police Department or 911 immediately.

The family members of A'sha Rucker, a Williamston teen who has been
reported missing, are at a site in Pelzer this evening where a body has
been found. Greenville County sheriff's investigators are at a scene on Long
Cane Road near Ware Place in Pelzer in the southern part of the county.

A body reportedly was found there around 6 p.m., and Rucker's family
members are there awaiting word on the results of the investigation.

Rucker, 17, was reported missing Wednesday after her car was found
abandoned at Caroline Community Center in Williamston, authorities
said. Investigators say Rucker did not show up for school at Palmetto
High School in Williamston that day.

According to Greenville County deputy
coroner Scott Ramsey, the body of 17-year old A’sha Rucker was found
early Friday evening.

According to authorities, some children were playing in an area off
of Highway 418 when the body was found just after 6 pm Friday night.
There is no word on the cause of death, but the coroner said Rucker’s
body was found face down in the yard of an abandoned home.

Greenville County Sheriff’s spokesman Matt Armstrong says that they
are treating Rucker’s death as a death investigation, suspicious in
nature. He says an autopsy will be performed Saturday morning to
determine the exact cause of death.

Rucker was reported missing by her family on Wednesday after she
failed to show up for school or pick up her sister later in the day
from school. Her belongings were found shortly thereafter along the
side of the road.
* * * *
The Greenville County Coroner's Office said
that the body of a missing Williamston girl was found in the southern
part of the county on Friday night.Scott Ramsey, of the
coroner's office, said that the body was found near the intersection of
Long Cane Road and Highway 418, just east of Ware PlaceRamsey said that the body was positively identified as 17-year-old A'Sha Rucker.Williamston police have been looking for Rucker since Wednesday, when she did not show up at Palmetto High School.The cause of death was still under investigation, Ramsey said.

A search for a missing South Carolina teenage has ended after children playing found
her body dumped on the side of a road.Authorities told multiple media outlets
they are treating the death of 17-year-old A'sha Rucker as a homicide.
Investigators say the girl's body showed no sign of trauma, but a hood was pulled over her head.
The teen's mother says she last saw her daughter Wednesday morning at their home in
Williamston, several miles from where her body was found.Searchers discovered her
purse, glasses, wallets and keys along a road not far from her home Friday morning.

An autopsy in a Williamston teen's death suggests she may have been
strangled about 24 hours before her body was found, but an exact cause
of death is awaiting further lab tests, a deputy coroner said Saturday.Scott
Ramsey, Greenville County deputy coroner, said the autopsy revealed
A'sha Rucker, 17, had marks on her neck indicating possible
strangulation, but “at this point, we can't confirm” that is how she
died.Investigators estimate that Rucker, who disappeared on Wednesday, died on Thursday, Ramsey said.Deputy
Matthew Armstrong, a Greenville County sheriff's spokesman, said
Rucker's body was found Friday by two children playing in the Pelzer
area of Greenville County. Her body was discovered about 40 yards from
an abandoned house on Long Cane Lane. He said investigators called the
death “suspicious.”There were no outright wounds, Armstrong said.Authorities
said the coroner's office and sheriff's deputies will work with the
Williamston Police Department to try to determine what caused Rucker's
death.Ramsey said that while some toxicology tests typically can take up to eight weeks, the findings could come back sooner.Williamston Police Chief Richard Inman said Rucker's rental car was found at the Caroline Community Center in Williamston.Rucker had been reported missing by her mother, Inman said.Inman said a search for the girl began after she didn't show up at Palmetto High School.Investigators said anyone with information about the teen's death should call Crime Stoppers at 864-232-7463.

The family of a teenager who went missing and was later found dead spoke out on Sunday.Through a spokesperson, the family, for the first time, said it believes 17-year-old A'sha Rucker was killed."There's no way A'sha would not have contacted her mother during this time
unless she was being held against her will, or she just couldn't," said
Heather Holcombe, who the family has asked to speak on their behalf.
"Of course we found out on Friday night, that was exactly the reason."Holcombe
also thanked all the people who helped search for Rucker while there
was still hope that she was still alive. She added that the family is
still counting on the community's help to find out what happened to
their daughter."A'sha Rucker was a bright, beautiful, loving,
young woman," she said."You can't describe what they're going through.
They are living every parents' worse night mare right now," she said.The
family also announced funeral arrangements. Rucker will be laid to rest
Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the New Hopewell Baptist Church on Dorchestor Road
in Belton. The service will be open to the public.The
Williamston Police Department and Greenville County Sheriff's Office
are both investigating the death. Anyone with information is asked to
contact CrimeStoppers at 23-CRIME.

The funeral for missing teen, 17 year old
A’sha Rucker, will take place at 2pm on Tuesday at New Hopewell Baptist
Church on Dorchester Road in Belton.

A family friend told News Channel 7 on Sunday that the family is
still in a state of shock. “You can’t describe what they’re going
through they are living every parent’s worse nightmare right now,“
Heather Holcombe said. To make matters worse, she says, the family has
heard rumors circulating around town that somehow the mother was
invovled. “For anyone to start rumors that Lavette may be involved is
absolutely ludicrous. There is now way,“ she said.

Nearly a hundred friends and classmates gathered outside of the
community center where A’sha Rucker’s car was found to light candles
for her Saturday night.

The body of the missing Williamston teenager was discovered early Friday evening.

Greenville County deputy coroner Scott Ramsey says that the body of
17-year old A’sha Rucker was found outside of an abandoned home on Long
Cane Lane in southern Greenville County shortly before 6 pm. According
to authorities, some children were playing in the area when they
noticed the body face down in the yard. “I still don’t believe it was
her. It’s just too unbelievable that’s she gone,“ a classmate said.

Friends and classmates sang “Amazing Grace” during a candlelight
vigil. Many of the teens wept and screamed her name during the vigil.
Police were called when some classmates made accusations about what
lead to Rucker’s death.

An autopsy was completed Saturday morning and the cause of death is pending further tests, Ramsey said.

Greenville County Sheriff’s spokesman Matt Armstrong says that they
are treating Rucker’s death as a death investigation, suspicious in
nature.

Rucker was reported missing by her family on Wednesday after she
failed to show up for school or pick up her sister later in the day
from school. Her belongings were found shortly thereafter along the
side of the road and her car was found at the Caroline Community Center
in Williamston.

The Williamston police chief said
Monday that a teen who was missing for three days last week and found
dead Friday evening was a victim of "murder."
Williamston
Chief Richard Inman said that the death of 17-year-old A'sha Rucker is
being investigated as a homicide, though A'sha's autopsy was
inconclusive.Inman said, "It's hard to say whether the victim was abducted or left and then found foul play down the road when she was gone."A'sha
was last seen Wednesday morning at her home on Crescent Drive in
Williamston, according to police. Her car was found later that day,
after workers at Williamston's Caroline Community Center.Deputy Matt Armstrong said A'sha's body was found by some children playing in a Pelzer neighborhood in Greenville County.Investigators
said the body was found face down on the ground with a hood pulled over
her head. The body was found 40 yards from the road, near an abandoned
house on Long Cane Road.Following an autopsy on Saturday, Deputy
Coroner Scott Ramsey said A'sha's body had evidence of strangulation,
but not enough to confirm it as the cause of death.Investigators
said that someone used A'sha's cell phone on Thursday to check her
voicemail. Preliminary autopsy results indicate that A'sha died on that
same day.Ramsey said determining the cause of death will have to
wait until toxicology tests are completed, which could take several
weeks.LaVette Rucker said she found several pieces of her
daughter's purse, glasses, wallets and keys along the side of Cherokee
Road in Williamston Friday morning. She said the disappearance was
completely out of character for her daughter.Rucker said, "She
was having problems in school. Several of the teenagers had bullied her
had tormented her. She was upset about that … On her Facebook page she
made a comment about being picked on at school. Friends said she was
upset but not to the point she would leave me and not return home at
all."She said, "Regardless of what teenagers may do, I know my teenager and this is not something she would do willingly."On Sunday, family members said through a representative they believe A'sha was murdered."There's
no way A'sha would not have contacted her mother during this time
unless she was being held against her will, or she just couldn't," said
Heather Holcombe, who the family has asked to speak on their behalf.
"Of course we found out on Friday night, that was exactly the reason."Chief
Inman said that an AMBER Alert was not issued for A'sha because there
was no "concrete proof" that she had been abducted or was in great
danger. He said even after her car was found, investigators found no
signs of a struggle or foul play.Police said that they never considered A'sha to be a runaway.Police
seized the Rucker family computer in an effort to figure out a motive
for the killing. So far, eight people have been questioned in
connection with A'sha's death, but no suspects have been named."I feel very certain the case will be cleared quickly," Inman said.The
family said that Rucker will be laid to rest Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the
New Hopewell Baptist Church on Dorchester Road in Belton.The
Williamston Police Department and Greenville County Sheriff's Office
are both investigating the death. Anyone with information is asked to
contact CrimeStoppers at 23-CRIME.

When students at Palmetto High School heard about their fellow classmate, many of themjust couldn't believe it. "Fun loving always had a smile, sweet and pleasant demeanor and just agood young lady," Dr. Mason Gary, the school's principal said. On Monday, students atPalmetto High School in Williamston learned their friend and classmate A'sha Rucker had beenfound dead in a wooded area in Greenville County. She had been missing for a couple of days.Doctor Mason Gary the principal at the school knew students would be upset."Wide range of emotion is going through their minds and heartbroken as well and such atragedy," he said. They signed banners and posters and left messages like 'A'sha I'm prayingfor you and condolences to the family. "So, anytime they can come together and just share andopen up. I think that's a healthy way to grieve and work through the process," Dr. Garycommented. Those words of sympathy are not only being posted at school, but online too.One post on the guest book came from Jeano Caldwell, back in 2006. Her daughter KwanaBurns was strangled inside her home in Anderson.It reads 'I lost my daughter Kwana more than two years ago, It's so painful, call me if you need anything.' So, from online messages of sympathy to an emotional school day a community grievesas they wait for answers. "It was just a neat time of sharing and celebrating the life of A'sha andthe good memories that our students have of their time together," Dr. Gary said. Students saidthey plan to give the poster and message boards to the Rucker family.

The Rev. Donald Owens described A’sha Rucker today as someone who was happy and loved to help other people.

Owens delivered a eulogy at a funeral for Rucker at New Hopewell Baptist Church in Belton.

The 17-year-old Williamston girl was missing for three days before
her body was found in Greenville County on Friday. The search for her
began on Nov. 18 after investigators learned she had not made it to
Palmetto High School, where she was a junior.

Owens, pastor of New Hopewell Baptist Church, said during the
funeral that Rucker was in a better place and nothing he could say
could make her family members feel any better. He said the presence of
more than 350 people at the funeral made a strong statement.

“This is a great revelation of love,” Owens said. “That tells me this young lady lived quite a life.”

He said he baptized Rucker, who attended his church, and knew that
she loved her family. He told members of the Rucker family that he
loved them and shared their pain.

The service featured a performance of “Lily in the Valley” by the
New Hopewell Choir. The Palmetto High School Chorus also performed.
Rucker sang soprano as a member of the school chorus.

Classmates and family members shared their memories of Rucker during the service.



DeAndrea Henderson, a teenage cousin of Rucker and close friend,
talked about going to a concert with Rucker and eating calamari with
her. Rucker was very outgoing and often encouraged Henderson to come
out of her shell.

Susan McKenzie, a choir teacher at Palmetto High School, said she
remembered working with Rucker and how often they hugged. The church
was filled and people stood in the back of the sanctuary and in the
hallways during the service. After the service, Rucker’s body was
carried out to the New Hopewell Baptist Church cemetery in a white
coffin with gold trim and red flowers on top.

Christian Hagood, 15, of Williamston said after the service that she
was a close friend and remembers going shopping with Rucker to
celebrate her 17th birthday. She said Rucker always had a smile.

Hagood said she was moved by the turnout for the funeral.

“I’m happy to see how many people loved her and cared about her,” Hagood said.

James Hunt of Williamston said Rucker was very nice and
well-mannered. He said members of his family had known her since she
was a young girl.

Roylee Sullivan of Belton said Rucker was his first cousin’s
daughter. He said the family appreciative of the support shown Tuesday.

“She was happy and full of life,” Sullivan said.

The Williamston Police Department is establishing a timeline for the
movements of A’sha Rucker before her death, but there are no new
significant developments.

Rucker was missing for three days before her body was found in
Greenville County on Nov. 20. The search for her began on Nov. 18 after
investigators learned she had not made it to Palmetto High School,
where she was a junior. Her car was found abandoned at Caroline
Community Center in Williamston.

Chief Richard Inman of the Williamston Police Department said today
that the department was still interviewing people who may have been in
contact with Rucker before her death.

“There is really nothing new to report,” Inman said. “We are still investigating the case. No charges have been made.”

He said the Rucker case remains the police department’s top
priority. The final results of the toxicology report are not expected
for a couple weeks.

Heather Holcombe of Pelzer, a spokeswoman for the Rucker family,
said that the family did not wish to make any public comments at this
time.

Inman said his department was working with the family and the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office.

WILLIAMSTON, S.C. --It’s been more than two months, and still the slaying of A’sha Rucker remains unsolved.The
17-year-old was reported missing by her mother Nov. 18. Rucker was last
seen alive at her home in Williamston. Two days later, the Palmetto
High student’s body was found in an abandoned home in Greenville County
on Long Cane Road.Investigators are still waiting for toxicology
results to come back. Those tests are expected to reveal how Rucker
died. Greenville County deputy coroner Scott Ramsey said there was
evidence the teen was strangled, but it is unknown if that is what
caused Rucker to die.As part of the investigation, officers have
executed numerous search warrants, subpoenaed phone records for Rucker
and people she knew, and have gotten statements from friends and family
members."Once the facts come out and are known, I think people
will have a greater understanding of why it took so long to solve this
case," said Williamston Police Chief Richard Inman.Williamston
police are working closely with Greenville County deputies, since
Rucker’s body was found across the county line. Inman said the two
agencies have to be careful not to step over jurisdictional lines
because it could affect the case in court. The State Law Enforcement
Division (SLED) is also helping in the investigation."[Rucker]
was possibly killed in one county and recovered in another county.
We've got to process all that evidence,” said Inman.Once investigators determine how Rucker was killed, Inman said it will be easier to pin down a suspect."It's not something we're going to let go unsolved," said Inman.Anyone with information on the case should call the Williamston Police Department or Greenville County Sheriff’s Office.

A’sha Rucker, a Williamston 17 year old whose body was found in Nov.
2009, was strangled to death, according to the Greenville County Coroner Scott Ramsey.
Rucker was reported missing last year after she failed to show up for
school. Her belongings were found on the side of the road, according to
authorities. Her car was found at the Caroline Community Center in Williamston.
Rucker’s body was found outside an abandoned home in South Greenville County.