Arrest made in murder of MyAngel Walker, described as ‘a burst of energy’

MyAngel Walker on the first day of her senior year, fall, 2023. Photo provided by family.

UPDATE: Bond denied for suspects at Saturday morning hearing

Malachi Jewelz Pressley, 19, has been charged with the murder of MyAngel Walker, an 18-year-old Laurens woman who was reported missing on Thursday.

At a joint press conference in Clinton Friday afternoon, Dec. 13, Clinton Police Chief Michael Addison, with Laurens Police Chief Heath Copeland, said that  the case started with a call to the Laurens Police Department from Walker’s mother that her daughter had not arrived at work.

“It was determined that Walker was last seen in Clinton,” Addison said, adding that the departments immediately launched a joint investigation.

“What started as a missing person’s case has now, tragically, turned into a homicide investigation. Pressley was charged with murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime,” Addison said.

Taylor Kinard, 19, has been arrested and charged as an accessory after the fact in connection with Walker’s death.

Both suspects were being held at Johnson Detention Center, Pressley and Kinard were denied bond at a hearing Saturday morning.

According to police, her death is connected to the discovery of a body in a vehicle on McKenzie Road in Ninety Six Friday morning. Police said Walker was shot in Clinton and her body transported with her vehicle to Ninety Six in Greenwood.

“We went several different places, coming to Clinton and and areas in the county, just searching for last known whereabouts,” Copeland said. “It became apparent during the night that we were looking for something a little more than just somebody missing.”

Law enforcement did not disclose a motive for the crime.

The coordination of officers and investigators from several upstate agencies, as well as the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), helped solve this case quickly, according to Addison. Present at the press conference were Addison, Copeland and other representatives from Clinton and from Newberry County Sheriff Office. Addison said Greenwood County and Laurens County sheriff departments were also working with them as the case unfolded.

Law enforcement from Greenwood County Sheriff’s Department were working at a scene Friday at McKenzie Road in Greenwood County, and Copeland verified that it was connected with this case.

Walker is described by family as outgoing and caring. Photo provided by family.

On Friday afternoon, Walker’s aunt, Sheree Edwards of Laurens, described her niece as “a burst of energy.”

A 2024 graduate of Laurens District High School, Walker had obtained her CNA certification and was working at National Health Center in Clinton. 

“She loved her work and never missed work,” Edwards said, adding that when Walker didn’t show up for work Thursday morning, her employers called her mother, who then reported her as missing to Laurens Police Department.

“She was caring and she was outgoing,” Edwards said. “She was like a burst of energy. In school she did a lot of school spirit activities. She ran track and played basketball and was always smiling in the parades. She was a sweet girl.”

Edwards said the police contacted Walker’s mother about 8 or 8:30 a.m. Friday with the news that her body had been found, and while it was terrible news, she said the family is grateful that the case was solved so quickly.

“It’s tragic but we most definitely appreciate them,” Edwards said of the law enforcement personnel. “They got right on it and they stayed in constant communication with us.”

The death of Walker is still under investigation and police asks that anyone with information to contact police at 864-833-7512 or anonymously through CrimeStoppers at 864-68-CRIME.