Missing Woman Found Dead Inside Belk Restroom In Columbiana Center Mall

A deceased woman was found in a restroom inside a Belk store at the Columbiana Center Mall and has been identified as a missing woman.

Bessie Durham, 63, of Columbia was discovered by a store employee in a public restroom a little after 8 p.m. Monday.

Around 8:45 p.m. officers responded to a call regarding a person that had been missing since September 15.

According to Coroner Margaret Fisher Durham had been seen on store surveillance entering the bathroom on the 15th but never coming out.

After officers arrived to the calls they realized that the missing person was in fact the deceased woman found at Belk. The family has been notified and is working with law enforcement.

An autopsy is to be performed today for Durham’s actual cause of death but foul play is not suspected.

The Columbia PD is continuing its investigation and has interviewed and taken statements from employees at Belk.

An autopsy is to be performed on September 22, 2022 to determine Durham’s actual cause of death.