Columbia man indicted for second-degree murder
Daniel A. Sanders was indicted for second-degree murder on Dec. 5 after police found his mother's dead body in his trunk during a routine traffic stop in August, stated a news release from the Columbia Police Department.
On Aug. 14, officers from CPD stopped Daniel A. Sanders because of a traffic offense. Upon discovering that Sanders was driving without his license, police detained him and towed his vehicle. Before towing, officers searched the vehicle, a standard protocol in the case of a towing.
During the search, police found the body of Sanders mother, Helen C. Sanders in the trunk. Medical examiners said Helen C. Sanders’ death was a homicide and confirmed that she was drowned and endured traumatic compressions to the chest, stated the news release.
In addition to second-degree murder, Sanders was indicted for tampering with physical evidence, and bond was set at $1,000,000, stated the news release.