The North Charleston Police Department has announced the arrest of 38-year-old Luis Oscar Ocanto in Kingsland, Georgia, on a murder charge related to the death of 34-year-old Laury Villalobos Soler. The incident occurred during a domestic altercation.
According to authorities, Soler was found deceased at her apartment on Dorchester Road following a dispute with her ex-boyfriend, Ocanto. The Charleston County Coroner identified Soler as a Venezuelan national and confirmed she died at the scene. Ocanto fled in Soler’s stolen vehicle but was apprehended in Kingsland after being stopped for speeding. He is currently held in Camden County Jail awaiting extradition to South Carolina.
In 2024, North Charleston recorded 24 homicides, contributing to one of the highest per-capita murder rates in South Carolina. Local law enforcement reports indicate that nearly 40% of these cases involve domestic violence. Consequently, the city has expanded its specialized domestic violence units and victim advocacy programs.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) reported 68 domestic violence-related homicides statewide in 2024, involving both female and male victims. Studies by the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault emphasize that women are significantly more likely to be killed by an intimate partner if a firearm is present during an altercation.
The North Charleston Police Department serves as the primary law enforcement agency for one of South Carolina’s largest cities. It conducts criminal investigations and traffic enforcement while collaborating with regional and federal agencies to reduce violent crime. Its homicide and domestic violence units prioritize offender accountability and victim protection throughout Charleston County.
