In a shocking turn of events, a South Carolina father who tearfully claimed to have stumbled upon his 5-year-old son's lifeless body nearly 35 years ago has now been charged with his murder. Victor Lee Turner, now 69 years old and wearing a medical tube in his mugshot, was arrested alongside his wife, Megan Renee Turner, 63, at their Cross Hill residence on Tuesday. The Berkeley County Sheriff's Office announced the charges, accusing the couple of murdering little Justin Lee Turner in March 1989.

Sheriff Duane Lewis, addressing the media at a press conference on Wednesday, described the case as one of the most tragic and horrendous murders he had ever encountered. "I can't think of a more tragic, horrendous murder - a 5-year-old boy," he stated, visibly shaken by the heinous crime.

According to WCBD, Megan Turner, who was known as Pamela Turner at the time, claimed that she had been in the shower at their Moncks Corner home when Justin left to catch his school bus from a neighbor's house. She alleged that she only realized the young boy was missing when he failed to get off the school bus that afternoon. However, investigations revealed that the neighbor never saw the child, and he was reported missing from school that day.

"He never got on that bus because he was dead inside that house," Sheriff Lewis declared, revealing a shocking twist in the case. The investigation took a grim turn when it was discovered that two days after Justin's disappearance, Victor Turner was captured on news footage entering his camper. Within seconds, he turned around and uttered the haunting words, "My son's in there. Someone hurt him."

Tragically, an autopsy later revealed that Justin had been sexually assaulted and strangled, adding further horror to an already devastating case. WCDB reported the details of the autopsy, shedding light on the brutality inflicted upon the innocent child.

Compounding the tragedy, it was revealed that the initial investigation into Justin's killing had stalled out, leaving the case unresolved. The exact timeline of when the investigation was closed remains unclear. Following the incident, Victor and Megan Turner moved 165 miles away to Cross Hill, never once inquiring about the progress of their son's case.

"Isn't that strange? I never got one phone call, one phone call from his daddy or stepmother. 'What are y'all doing about my son's death?' Not one. What does that tell you?" Sheriff Lewis questioned, highlighting the suspicious behavior of the accused parents.

However, justice may finally be served as a cold case investigation was reopened in 2021, utilizing new technology to aid in the search for answers. This week's charges against Victor and Megan Turner are a result of this renewed effort. In a chilling revelation, Megan Turner has reportedly admitted to arguing with Justin on the day he went missing, according to the new arrest warrant cited by WCSC.

As the community grapples with the shocking revelation of a father's alleged involvement in his own son's murder, the case serves as a reminder that justice can sometimes take decades to prevail. The details surrounding Justin Lee Turner's tragic death continue to unfold, leaving a scar on the hearts of those who have followed the case for years.