Man kills former mother-in-law in West Ashley (updated x2: coroner confirms suspect's body)

Image by Charleston County Sheriffs Office Ronald David Ratliff

Update January 26: Just moments ago, the Charleston COunty Coroner confirmed that Ronald David Ratliff is dead. She says he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the neck.

Live 5 News has the update.

Update January 26: Ronald David Ratliff, considered armed and dangerous after murdering his former mother-in-law over the weekend, is now thought to have returned to the scene of the crime where he shot and wounded his estranged wife before going up into the attic and killing himself.

Two shots were fired into the house from outside, one striking Ratliff's ex-wife, Milissity Hayes. A deputy who was stationed outside of the house quickly removed the family out of the house while Hayes' relative rushed her to the hospital. In the moments of chaos, it is believe Ratliff entered the house and posted up in the attic where he killed himself.

Thought the man found dead in the attic is presumably Ratliff, an official identification was needed from Charleston County Coroner's Office.

The Post and Courier has a complete update; read it here.


First reporting: Authorities are looking for a man who shot and killed his former mother-in-law just days after getting released from jail.

Ronald David Ratliff, jailed for assaulting his ex-wife, returned to her West Ashley home on Saturday evening where he put two bullets in his former mother-in-law's side. Ratliff fled the scene in what authorities believe to be a white 2004 Ford Econoline van with S.C. license plate EPP250.

Anyone with information on Ratliff's whereabouts should call Crime Stoppers at (843) 554-1111.

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