A 13-year-old foster child named Daryl Martinez Lowry died after being stabbed and held underwater until he drowned. His body was recovered in a lake near a residential dock in Modoc, South Carolina, after several hours of his fight with Landon Austin Moore, 17, and an unidentified 16-year-old boy.

According to The August Press, Moore and the other boy were foster brothers staying at the lake home belonging to McCormick County Council Chairman Bernie Hamby, who was asleep inside at the time. Lowry was reportedly placed at the home as a temporary foster child as he waited for a permanent home.

The McCormick County deputy said they were called on Monday early morning when Moore and the other boy allegedly attacked Lowry. Police also found several knife cuts on Lowry’s body, which could be from a knife. Moore has been charged with murder and was being held at the McCormick County Detention Center. The other unnamed boy was in custody at the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice.

According to the SLED warrant, Moore and the other boy had a “physical altercation” at the boat dock that escalated. When Lowry suffered lacerations from a knife, the alleged fight culminated in the older teens “holding (Lowry) underwater” until he died.  

 

Hamby’s close friend spoke to Fox54 News on the tragic incident and defended the Council Chairman.

Hamby’s close friend told Fox54 News, “He’s (Hamby) a great foster parent. He loves the kids. He would do anything for those kids. He takes them to get stuff, more clothing, and everything. He looks after them really well. He’s a great foster parent. We’ve been friends for a long time. He’s a great parent. He’s a great friend. He would do anything for you. He looks out for his community a lot. He tries to do a lot for this community.”

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Mr. Daryl Martinez Lowry, a native of Chester, South Carolina. Daryl was born on November 18, 2012, in Charlotte, North Carolina, to Laterrica Lowry and Antonio Crosby. He departed this life on July 20, 2026, in McCormick, South Carolina,” Daryl’s obituary at the Chris King Memorial Chapel reads. 

“The family will receive friends starting July 21, 2026, until the day of the funeral service from 5 p.m.- 8 p.m. each day at the home of his great-aunt, Johnna Lowry Hodge, located at 200 York Street, Apartment S-6, Chester, South Carolina.”

“Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced at a later date by the funeral home and the family.”

“Please keep the Lowry and Crosby families in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

Netizens mourned Lowry’s death and hoped for harsh punishments for the suspects. 

“This is beyond my understanding. How could that 17-year-old get angry enough to murder the 13-year-old boy? What’s wrong with these people?” wrote a netizen. 

Another added, “Another case of sparkling water (like that Mississippi sheriff said the cause of death), but these 2 Wyt boys didn’t have a mother as a judge, so they might get probation for murdering a Black kid in the South.”

A separate commentator felt that the tragedy could have been avoided: “Almost certainly there were signs, and they should have been separated before it got to this.”

“They start young learning how to kill. Satan has come full circle and no longer hiding behind a curtain; he does his crimes without pretending anymore,” wrote another. 

Disclaimer: Inquisitr could not independently confirm the facts of this incident and is reporting based on the information available.