After a sheriff died, investigators opened his locked desk drawer and reportedly found evidence tied to stolen drug-seizure cash, raising new questions about how seized money was handled

The death of a South Carolina sheriff unexpectedly triggered a far-reaching investigation after colleagues clearing out his office reportedly discovered sealed evidence bags containing cash inside a locked desk drawer.

Some of the bags were empty, while others had been cut open or contained only part of the money they were supposed to hold.

The discovery prompted state investigators to examine years of drug-related cash seizures, ultimately uncovering nearly $49,000 in missing funds and raising serious questions about how evidence was handled under the late sheriff's administration.A routine office clearance led to an unexpected discoveryAccording to The Dillon Herald, Sheriff Douglas "Humbunny" Pernell, the first Black sheriff elected in Dillon County, South Carolina, died unexpectedly from a sudden cardiac event on 7 August 2023 at the age of 61.

Two weeks later, family members, deputies and colleagues gathered to remove his personal belongings from his office.As reported by Queen City News, while packing his office, they encountered a locked drawer built into a credenza beside his desk.

Unable to locate a key, deputies forced it open with a pry bar.