In a tragic turn of events, the search for Angela Fuller has reached a sorrowful conclusion. The “Columbia Remains” discovered in northeast Richland County have been positively identified as belonging to the missing 56-year-old, bringing a somber resolution to her family’s ordeal. The Richland County Coroner’s Office confirmed the identification on Thursday, marking the end of an extensive search that began when Fuller was reported missing nearly two weeks prior.
Discovery and Identification
Angela Fuller was last seen on August 29, 2025, in the 3000 block of North Beltline Boulevard in Columbia, South Carolina. Her family reported her missing to authorities on September 1, 2025, initiating an immediate search effort. According to WLTX-TV, the Columbia Police Department conducted extensive searches, canvassing over 75 locations, vacant buildings, and lots in their efforts to locate Fuller. Sadly, these efforts led to the discovery of human remains in a wooded area along Shakespeare Road in northeast Richland County around 4 p.m. on Thursday, September 11, 2025. The subsequent identification of these remains as Angela Fuller was confirmed by the Richland County Coroner’s Office on September 12, 2025.
The Investigation
The Columbia Police Department is now treating the case as a potential homicide. While details regarding the cause and manner of death have not yet been released, the authorities are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding Fuller’s disappearance and death. Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook has not yet released a statement, but the department is urging anyone with information to contact Crimestoppers.
Person of Interest
Anthony Reese, 55, described as an acquaintance of Fuller, has been named a person of interest in the case. According to official reports, Reese is currently detained on unrelated charges, including possession of a firearm by a convicted violent felon, unlawful carrying of a weapon, failure to stop for blue lights, and use of a license plate other than on the vehicle issued. The naming of Reese as a person of interest suggests a potential connection to Fuller’s disappearance, although the precise nature of this connection remains under investigation.
Family’s Anguish and Search Efforts
The news of Angela Fuller’s death has brought immense grief to her family. Prior to the discovery of her remains, Fuller’s niece, Emani Harley, had made a public plea, urging the community to come forward with any information that might help locate her aunt. The family’s hopes for a safe return have now been replaced with the somber reality of her passing. The Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford stated that the confirmation of Angela Fuller’s identity has brought “clarity and heartbreak for the family.”
Community Impact and Ongoing Investigation
The disappearance and death of Angela Fuller has deeply affected the Columbia community. The extensive search efforts undertaken by the Columbia Police Department underscore the seriousness with which the case was treated from the outset. As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information, no matter how seemingly insignificant, to contact Crimestoppers. The State newspaper is closely following the developments in this case, providing updates as they become available.
“Columbia Remains” Bring Closure, Questions Remain
While the identification of Angela Fuller’s remains brings a degree of closure to her family, many questions remain unanswered. The ongoing investigation by the Columbia Police Department aims to uncover the truth behind her disappearance and death. The community mourns the loss of Angela Fuller and hopes for a swift and just resolution to this tragic case. The focus now shifts to ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice and that the family can find some measure of peace in the face of their profound loss.
