NEWBERRY – Curtis Brian Varner, 57, of 1315 Milligan Street, Newberry, has been charged with the murder of his wife, Cathy E. Varner, by the Newberry Police Department.
On Sunday, July 8, officers with the Newberry Police Department responded to the above address on a welfare check. Once on scene, officers found an unresponsive victim.
Police Chief Roy McClurkin said an autopsy was performed on the victim Monday, July 9 at Newberry County Memorial Hospital. As a result of the findings from the autopsy, Curtis Varner was charged with murder.
Newberry County Coroner Laura Kneece has identified the victim as Cathy Varner, 63, who resides at the same address. Kneece said the autopsy conducted concluded that Varner died of multiple blunt force injuries as a result of a beating. Kneece also estimates that the victim died on Friday, July 6.
The manner of death has been determined as homicide, Kneece said.
A South Carolina Law Enforcement Division background check did not show Curtis Varner to have a criminal history of domestic violence. However, according to McClurkin, officers had been called to the residence in the past for disturbance calls.
McClurkin said at this time the incident is still considered an active investigation by the Newberry Police Department and the Newberry County Coroner’s Office.