Upstate man sentenced to 30 years for murdering roommate

GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) – A man was sentenced to 30 years for stabbing his roommate to death in April 2021.

Officials said Russel Wydell Gilliam Jr. pled guilty to the murder of Octravious Lamar Jones.

An investigation was initiated when investigators with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office responded to Palamon Street in response to a body later identified as Jones being found in the woods.

Jones was reported missing almost a week prior to his body being discovered in the woodline area where both he and Gilliam resided.

Officials said Gilliam admitted to using a knife to stab Jones multiple times following an argument. Gilliam also mentioned the location of where the knife was discarded leading investigators to its discovery.

Gilliam also pled guilty to possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

He will serve his sentence in the SC Department of Corrections.

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