Dara Watson Updates: Missing Woman's Dead Fiance 'Was Involved' In Her Disappearance

A missing woman's fiance was responsible for her recent disappearance before he killed himself, according to police in South Carolina.

Witnesses have positively identified Dara Watson's husband-to-be, David Hedrick -- whose death a coroner recently ruled a suicide -- walking away from her burnt SUV with a shovel in his hand on the night that she was last seen, Mount Pleasant Police Public Information Officer Stan Gragg told The Huffington Post.

“It is believed at this time that between Monday evening [Feb. 6] and Tuesday morning [Feb. 7], Hedrick was involved in the circumstances surrounding her disappearance,” Mount Pleasant Police Chief Harry Sewellsaid yesterday during a press conference.

The 30-year-old Watson was last seen in Boone, N.C., by her mother on Monday, Feb. 6. Four days later, the woman's employer reported her missing.

"We're really trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Nothing is more important than this young lady's life," Chief Harry Sewell of the Mount Pleasant Police Department told KSDK.

Authorities discovered Hedrick's body in his home last Friday. He killed himself hours after police questioned him about Watson's disappearance, Patch reported

Anyone with information regarding Watson's disappearance is encouraged to call the Mount Pleasant Police Department at [phone].

Also on HuffPost:

Comments

[PansyAston]

12:23 PM on 02/19/2012

Need to update the article~~her body was found Friday by the Captain of the Mount Pleasant Rescue Squad, buried in the brush 100 yards from the vehicle.

[madcityy]

02:09 PM on 02/18/2012

SUICIDE IS BECOMING A POPULAR OUT FOR WOMEN KILLERS NOW,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[Stacey V Butler]

10:46 PM on 02/17/2012

This is just another case of impulsivity and anger that seems to be a growing problem in our youth. This is just so sad. I have two girls and an AMAZING husband. I really hope that I have taught them both well. They have to learn to be careful out there.

[DSAldridge]

06:40 PM on 02/17/2012

So sad. I hope they find her body so the family can lay her to rest.

[suecheeks1]

08:50 PM on 02/16/2012

wow Huffington...Must of been a rocket scientist to figure that one out. What is wrong with all these people murdering their spouses and significant others...Just walk away...

[rsttho557949]

07:52 PM on 02/16/2012

When are these women going to catch on that fiancé just means:
Free
Intimacy
And
No
Commitment
Ever

Guy wants all the pleasures ofva husband but can walk away from the milk producer at any moment. Fathers should demand ( if their daughter's like being used) that their daughter's and the guy honor the parents with marriage. Last I checked, there is nothing free in this world that involves anything of value. I believe the "fiances" total lack of respect for that woman allowed him to feel so comfortable that he could entertain snuffing out her life.
marriage.

[DSAldridge]

06:43 PM on 02/17/2012

Well, I agree and disagree. I believe that there should be something like what the ancient Druids practiced. A couple was "hand fasted" and made to live together for a year before they were allowed to be married. At any time during that year, either of them could break the handfast. I do believe couples should live together before marriage for a short while at least. You never really know someone until you live with them. As for the sex angle, I'd hate to save myself and find out the man I married was inadequate in that department on my wedding night. Better safe than sorry, I always say.

[rsttho557949]

10:54 PM on 02/17/2012

Dear DSAldridge

I can't exactly read your gender but you sound like a man when you expressed concern if a husband was inadequate during sex. Generally sex is something that is learned and the act of sex is mostly mental since the seat of all sexual pleasure is the brain.

I think that a couple should have a long courtship without sex to really get to know the person. Sex tends to make one lose objectivity (rose colored glasses as opposed to magnifying glasses) about the guy because sex creates a bond between the two. It is for that reason that I do not think that couples should live together. If sex is not involved, the man or woman can walk away from the relationship without much invested in it. I do believe that the woman that stays in an abusive relationship does so because of the sexual/emotional investment she has in the relationship see a woman with a long term "fiancé" as a mild form of emotional abuse.

[Justgot2thinking]

03:17 PM on 02/18/2012

Just so there is NO babies! The marriage really needs to be stable before they have children. Being shipped back and forth is a huge drag, and fighting parents are the worst. So many hormones flowing, I don't think not having sex is feasible. One year is good, it gives you plenty of time to meet the otheres family and deal with a year worth of ups and downs. But NO babies yet!

[silsez]

06:09 PM on 02/16/2012

Dumbazz actually thought he'd get away with it?

[Minnielee]

04:30 AM on 02/16/2012

Was he a relative of Josh Powell? How many clues to this lovely young woman's disappearance will the police find now that he is dead?

[matt50]

02:22 AM on 02/16/2012

Another beautiful soul lost. What is it with people today? Why is it so hard to walk away, in all my years I never, ever, understand this. My thoughts and prays go out to both of these young people's families.

[srynmichael2]

12:39 AM on 02/16/2012

I hope she is alright.

[Denisehh3]

12:12 AM on 02/16/2012

Shovel......burnt vehicle........his suicide........she's dead......

[GOODDOC1]

02:09 AM on 02/16/2012

I hope you're wrong, but I'm afraid you might be right.

[Denisehh3]

03:24 PM on 02/16/2012

@GOODDOC1.........So sad the going trend today with anyone gone missing........

[mjoutfit]

02:10 AM on 02/16/2012

yeah, how obvious can it be? Funny, how slow a few people are...

[DenverPainters]

12:08 AM on 02/16/2012

Police need to take soil samples of that shovel, and determine where that soil came from. Soils can be different in each individual SQ. MILE. bUt

Hope Dara is ok, she's a LiL' DoLL.

[wdc39]

11:30 PM on 02/15/2012

With all the missing women in the news lately, one can't really blame the cops for their decision to book them.

[zmopardude]

11:23 PM on 02/15/2012

If she ever wants a real man she could call me!

[Carpenter Aunt]

01:03 AM on 02/16/2012

Don't wait by the phone. I don't think this poor gal is going to be calling anyone ever again.

[ART ALCALA]

03:57 AM on 02/16/2012

i'll put a RIP for you if she calls.

[broncosdude94]

10:55 PM on 02/15/2012

Beautiful girl. Shame how many bad guys are out there.

[riggallamarillo]

02:52 AM on 02/16/2012

Shame is us good guys did not get a chance to ask him what happened to her.

[Karissa36]

07:23 AM on 02/16/2012

So sad for her family not to know. I wish he left them a note.