The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 38-year-old Juan Veneroso Lopez following the discovery of a burned body near North 6th Street and Woodside Avenue. Investigators said that the victim died from blunt force trauma before being set on fire.
According to FOX Carolina, deputies responded to a 911 call on Saturday reporting a person possibly on fire at the specified location in Greenville County. Upon arrival, authorities discovered the body of 29-year-old Angel Lazaro-Castillo, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office determined that Lazaro-Castillo died from blunt force trauma to the head and ruled the case a homicide.
WYFF 4 News reported that investigators executed a search warrant on Fore Avenue in Columbia, South Carolina, leading to Lopez’s arrest. Lopez confessed to killing Lazaro-Castillo after confronting him over a domestic-related dispute. He admitted to inflicting fatal injuries and setting the victim’s body on fire. Court documents reviewed by WYFF confirm that Lopez was charged with murder and desecration of human remains and was denied bond following his initial court appearance.
The Greenville News noted that this incident marked the 21st violent killing investigated in 2024 by Greenville County authorities, highlighting an increase in cases involving domestic disputes turned deadly. Sheriff Hobart Lewis mentioned that the department has strengthened partnerships with Columbia-area law enforcement to track suspects who flee county jurisdiction. The Sheriff’s Office emphasized that this case underscores both the challenges of interjurisdictional coordination and their commitment to solving complex violent crimes swiftly.
According to information from the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office official website, it serves as the primary law enforcement agency for Greenville County, South Carolina, providing patrol services, criminal investigations, and community outreach. Led by Sheriff Hobart Lewis, the office focuses on proactive policing, crime prevention, and collaboration with local and federal agencies to enhance community safety. Additionally, they engage in public education campaigns encouraging residents to report crimes through anonymous tip lines like Crime Stoppers.
