UPDATED: Homicide investigation initiated after USC Aiken student, mother found dead
Cassandra Negrete a 23-year-old USC Aiken student was found dead at her home Thursday morning.
Aiken deputies responded to a 911 call at 11:24 a.m. from a Hispanic male telling dispatchers he was at the scene of a suspicious death.
Responding deputies found two dead bodies identified as Veronica Negrete, 43-years-old and Cassandra Negrete, 23-years-old.
Aiken County Sheriff’s Office and the Aiken County Coroner’s Office described this as a double homicide. Veronica Negrete was found dead on her bed, and Cassandra, Veronica Negrete’s daughter, was found inside a car located in the backyard.
According to Aiken County Coroner Darryl Ables, both bodies were stabbed.
In a USC Aiken official communication email sent out to inform students of the death of Negrete, “Dear Students, We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of UofSC Aiken student Cassandra Negrete. Our campus community mourns her tragic loss. We send our heartfelt condolences to her family and all those who knew her.”
Negrete was an accomplished psychology major on the President’s list for the Spring 2020 semester. She was described as promising and dedicated by faculty members in the psychology department.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Cassandra’s family and friends, and classmates during this difficult time,” the email continued.
Autopsy results are scheduled to be released Friday morning.
Guillermo Diaz Jr, a 23-year-old, was charged with two counts murder in the deaths of Veronica and Cassandra Negrete.
According to the incident report, Diaz made the phone call to 911 the morning of the incident and was found covered in blood talking on the phone.
According to the sheriff’s office, arriving at the scene, deputies asked Diaz to leave the residence, and he was later detained after the bodies were found.
As of tonight, Diaz is being treated at the local hospital for lacerations to his wrist and will be booked into the Aiken County detention center after treatment.
Diaz Jr. was charged with two counts of murder, two counts of possession of a weapon during a violent crime and booked into the Aiken County Detention Center Friday afternoon.
Diaz Jr., allegedly, killed his ex-girlfriend and her mother brutally. Reportedly, Diaz Jr. came out of the home covered in blood and was detained at the crime scene. The Sheriff’s office confirmed Diaz was Cassandra’s ex-boyfriend, but his motive has not been announced.
