Police: S.C. man confesses to killing Charlotte woman

Authorities say a South Carolina man has confessed to killing a North Carolina woman after she argued with him about ending their relationship.

Posted 8:59 p.m. Jun 4, 2009 — Updated 3:46 p.m. Jun 5, 2009

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Authorities say a South Carolina man has confessed to killing a North Carolina woman after she argued with him about ending their relationship.

Multiple media outlets reported that during a court hearing Thursday investigators said 29-year-old Theodore Manning IV originally called the shooting an accident, then later said he meant to shoot Nikki McPhatter of Charlotte, N.C., on May 6.

Manning, of Gaston, is charged with murder in the death of 30-year-old McPhatter. Manning was arrested at his home May 30, about two hours after authorities found a charred vehicle off of Interstate 77 in nearby Fairfield County, said Richland County Sheriff's spokesman Lt. Chris Cowan.

Manning waived his right to a bond hearing on the murder charge.

The remains require identification through DNA or dental records, but indications are the body is that of McPhatter, said Richland County Coroner Gary Watts. He said autopsy results show a gunshot to the head killed her, though he's unable to determine a time of death.

McPhatter was last heard from May 6 when she called a friend to say she'd run out of gas in Columbia. She didn't answer her phone shortly afterward, authorities said.

McPhatter, whose family lives in Raeford, was reported missing May 11.

Investigators charged 27-year-old Kendra Goodman with accessory after the fact Thursday. Authorities say she followed Manning to where he burned the body. It wasn't immediately clear if she had a lawyer.

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