Officials believe escaped inmate last seen in Greenville Co. could be connected to missing man
GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - The Carter County Sheriff’s Office announced that they believe an escaped inmate from Tennessee last seen in Greenville County, South Carolina, could be connected to a missing man from the same area.
Deputies said Billy Reed Fletcher, 43, walked off from his work detail at the Carter County Detention Center in Tennessee and escaped on June 20.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) said Fletcher was last seen leaving a Walmart on Whitehorse Road in Greenville County on June 24. Deputies described Fletcher as 6 feet 2 inches tall and around 230 pounds with blue eyes and brown hair.
Deputies explained that on June 21, a woman reported that her father, 61-year-old Victor Birchfield, had been missing since June 19. Birchfield was last seen in Elizabethton, Tennessee, wearing an orange or red shirt, grey basketball shorts, leather shoes, and black socks.
According to deputies, Birchfield was traveling in a silver 2004 Toyota 4Runner with Tennessee tag number 070BKZV. They added that following Birchfield’s disappearance, someone saw the vehicle in the Clemson, S.C., area.
Deputies confirm that they believe Birchfield’s disappearance could be connected to Fletcher’s escape.
“We are continuing to investigate in conjunction with other local and state agencies as well as authorities in other states,” said Carter County Sheriff Mike Fraley. “We believe that at some point following the escape of Fletcher that he came into contact with Mr. Birchfield.”
The Sheriff’s Office is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the location and capture of Fletcher. Officials said if you spot Fletcher, “Do not approach him.”
If anyone has any information on his whereabouts, please call 911. Tipsters can also call SLED at (803) 737-9000, email tips@sled.sc.gov, or leave an anonymous tip at 23crime.com.
The Carter’s County Sheriff’s Office is also asking those with information to call them at 423-542-1845. They said do not approach Fletcher if he is spotted.
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