Deputy U.S. Marshals have returned from Shanghai, China, with former Charleston police officer Daniel Hiers Jr., who was arrested on a federal warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution of murder and child sexual assault charges two decades ago. Three adults died in a North Charleston house fire near Park Circle on July 23, with authorities investigating the cause. Parts of South Carolina face flash flooding threats this weekend as rain resumes.
We're going to catch you up on these and other top stories from The Post and Courier for Friday, July 24.
Ex-Charleston cop Daniel Hiers Jr. brought from China to face charges in wife's 2005 murder
Daniel Hiers Jr., 53, was arrested July 22 and accused of killing his wife, Ludimila "Mila" Araujo, who was shot in the back of her head while she slept in March 2005, and of sexually molesting an underage girl. Hiers fled after his wife's death and was eventually located in Shanghai, China, where he was working as an English teacher under an assumed name. Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson said she will prosecute Hiers on murder charges and has not ruled out seeking life without parole or the death penalty.
Some parts of South Carolina may experience flash flooding this weekend
The Charleston area can expect between 1 and 3 inches of rain this weekend, with a flash flooding threat extending from southeastern Virginia to northern Georgia and Alabama. Some storms on July 24 could become severe, though those conditions will not carry over into the weekend. The potential for flash floods appears more confined to the Upstate and central parts of South Carolina, though Charleston's urban areas face increased flooding risk due to poor drainage issues.
3 adults dead after North Charleston house fire, authorities investigating cause
Three adults were pronounced dead at the scene of a house fire near the intersection of Sterrett and Wasp streets shortly after 9 p.m. July 23. Two women, ages 40 and 50, and a 50-year-old man were found in the home, with their identities not yet released by the county coroner. The cause of the fire remains unknown and is being investigated.
It's time for last laughs at Theatre 99’s Meeting Street location, but there’s more to come
Theatre 99, an improv comedy club that has operated at 280 Meeting St. for 21 years, will close its downtown location with a final performance scheduled for Sept. 12 after the building was sold. Co-founders Greg Tavares and Brandy Sullivan said they are still working out details of where the theater will relocate and are planning its next chapter. Before closing, Theatre 99 is will fill its schedule with performances and special events from July 24 through Sept. 12, giving audiences final chances to experience the downtown venue.
Wildfire raging in Francis Marion is now 50 percent contained. Forecast rain expected to help.
The wildfire burning in the Francis Marion National Forest since July 18 has reached 50 percent containment as of noon July 24 and has not grown beyond 1,011 acres. Firefighters with the U.S. Forest Service and local departments have kept the blaze managed in recent days, with the fire remaining the same size since July 21. Heavy rain forecast for the afternoon of July 24 is expected to help extinguish hotspot activity, though heavier material fuels will likely continue to burn.
This news briefing was created with the assistance of AI to summarize stories. The briefing was edited by a Post and Courier journalist before it was published.