A Vanishing Act

Spring of 2022 was just beginning to bloom in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, when Penni Whiteside, a 51-year-old woman known for her kind nature and quiet demeanor, suddenly vanished. Her disappearance was as mysterious as it was alarming. Friends and neighbors noticed her absence, but in the bustle of everyday life, her quiet departure went unreported for a few days. But as the days turned into weeks, concern grew. People started asking questions—Where was Penni? Why hadn’t she been seen?

The story begins to unfold with the involvement of her roommate, Sheridan Dirk Fogle, a 54-year-old man living with Penni at the time. According to neighbors, the pair had been living together for some time, and while not much was known about their relationship, no one suspected the darkness that was about to surface.

The Slow-Burning Fear

As spring turned to summer, whispers of Penni’s absence grew louder. Neighbors noted that Fogle seemed unfazed by her disappearance. He went about his life as if nothing had changed, but for those who knew Penni, the silence was deafening. She wasn’t the type to just up and leave without a word. Something was wrong, and people were beginning to sense it.

The police were eventually alerted, and an investigation into Penni’s disappearance was launched in May 2022. Initial searches yielded nothing. There were no signs of a struggle, no clues that could point to where she might have gone. It was as if she had simply evaporated into thin air. But as the investigation deepened, attention began to shift toward Fogle. His demeanor, his lack of concern—it all began to seem suspicious.

The Suspicions Grow

The turning point came when neighbors reported seeing strange activity around the property. There were reports of digging, of late-night movements in the backyard where Fogle and Penni lived. These observations, coupled with the fact that Fogle was the last person to see Penni alive, led investigators to obtain a search warrant for the property in June 2024. It had been two long years since Penni had last been seen, and hope for finding her alive was dwindling.

The search of the property was methodical. Investigators combed through every inch, looking for anything that could explain Penni’s disappearance. And then, in the backyard, under a makeshift fire pit, they found what they had feared the most—human remains.

The Horrifying Discovery

On June 12, 2024, the remains were confirmed to be those of Penni Whiteside. The discovery sent shockwaves through the quiet neighborhood of Myrtle Beach. Penni, who had been missing for over two years, had been right there all along, buried in the backyard of the home she once shared with Fogle. The community, which had held onto a sliver of hope that Penni might return, was now faced with the grim reality of her death.

The details of the discovery were as gruesome as they were tragic. Penni’s remains had been buried deep beneath the fire pit, hidden away from the world as if her life didn’t matter. The revelation of her final resting place broke the hearts of those who had known her. The senselessness of the crime, the sheer brutality of it, was incomprehensible.

The Arrest and Aftermath

The discovery of Penni’s remains led to the swift arrest of Sheridan Dirk Fogle. On August 29, 2024, the U.S. Marshals Service, alongside the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety, executed an arrest warrant at Fogle’s home in Orangeburg. He was taken into custody without incident, charged with the murder of Penni Whiteside.

The community’s reaction was one of disbelief and sorrow. How could something so horrifying happen right under their noses? How could someone they knew, someone they might have passed on the street, commit such an unthinkable act? These questions lingered as Fogle was taken away, leaving behind a community grappling with the reality of what had occurred.

Myrtle Beach Police described the incident as a “tragic loss of life and a senseless crime of violence.” Their statement echoed the sentiments of many who struggled to understand how something so heinous could happen in their community. The police urged the public to keep Penni’s family and friends in their thoughts as they navigated the difficult road ahead.

Seeking Justice

As Fogle awaits trial, the community continues to mourn Penni’s loss. Her story is a tragic reminder of the hidden dangers that can lurk in the most unexpected places. It’s a story that has left an indelible mark on the hearts of those who knew her and even those who didn’t.

Penni’s death is not just a headline; it’s a painful chapter in the lives of those she left behind. It’s a call for vigilance, for awareness, for understanding that even in the quietest of towns, darkness can exist. The search for justice for Penni Whiteside is now underway, and the community hopes that, in time, they can find some semblance of closure.

A Community Changed Forever

The discovery of Penni’s remains and the arrest of Fogle have irrevocably changed the community of Myrtle Beach. The quiet streets, once filled with the sounds of everyday life, are now tinged with an air of sadness and loss. Neighbors are more cautious, more aware of the people around them. The trust that once existed has been shaken, and the scars of this tragedy will take time to heal.

As the legal process moves forward, Penni’s story will continue to resonate with those who knew her. It’s a reminder of the importance of community, of watching out for one another, and of the devastating impact that one act of violence can have. Penni Whiteside may be gone, but her story will not be forgotten.

And as the community of Myrtle Beach gathers to remember her life, they do so with the hope that justice will be served, and that Penni’s tragic end will serve as a stark reminder of the need to protect and care for one another.