True Crime Garage: Pendleton Quadruple Homicide /// Part 1 /// Episode 818

Release Date: February 5, 2025

Introduction to the Pendleton Quadruple Homicide

In Episode 818 of True Crime Garage, hosts Nick and the Captain delve into the harrowing case of the Pendleton Quadruple Homicide, a chilling event that shook the small town of Pendleton, South Carolina. The episode meticulously unpacks the details surrounding the gruesome murders, exploring the lives of the victims, the crime scene intricacies, and the ongoing investigation.

The Crime Scene and Victims

On Sunday afternoon between noon and 3 PM, the tranquility of Pendleton was shattered by a violent massacre at 2217 Refuge Road. The victims—Mike Scott (58), his wife Kathy Scott (60), Mike's mother Barbara Scott (80), and Kathy's mother Violet Taylor (82)—were found brutally slain in their modest double-wide mobile home.

Captain Gaylord Major of the Anderson County Sheriff's Office described the scene as "very violent, very, very violent deaths on all four of them" (02:00). The house, adorned with Halloween decorations, showed no signs of forced entry or ransacking, suggesting a targeted attack. The presence of an Adirondack chair and an ADT security sign in the front yard indicated that the perpetrator(s) were undeterred by the security system (03:00).

Investigation and Evidence

The investigation revealed a complex and meticulously planned attack. Key pieces of evidence included:

• Blood Evidence: Vast pools of blood were found unaltered on the living room floor, smearing the walls and furniture without any signs of struggle (08:07). This indicated that the victims were attacked swiftly and had little chance to defend themselves.

• Weaponry: The victims were initially stabbed with a hunting or military-style knife, evidenced by consistent hilt marks and stab wounds across all four victims (19:58). Subsequently, gunshots were fired, likely using a .38 caliber revolver found missing from Kathy's bedroom (15:34).

• Footprints: Partial shoe prints identified as men's sneakers (Asics Speed Star running shoes) suggested that the killer pursued Kathy as she attempted to escape barefoot (20:37).

• Safe Disturbance: An empty shelf once holding a safe in the bedroom closet hinted at a possible motive related to theft or personal vendettas (21:31).

Nick emphasizes the significance of these clues, stating, “This was not a random home invasion to steal a bunch of stuff. This was targeted violence” (08:42).

Timeline and Victim Relationships

Understanding the timeline was crucial. Initial confusion arose from a text message sent by Mike Scott to his boss, mistakenly believed to have been sent on Sunday but later confirmed to be Saturday at 1:30 PM on Halloween. This shifted the estimated time of death to late Saturday, complicating the timeline (40:08).

Amy Velardi, Mike and Kathy’s daughter, discovered the bodies on Monday, November 2, after noticing unusual activities such as her mother not letting out the dog and an open back door (35:10). Her account provided critical insights:

• Saturday Evening: Amy observed her parents seemingly normal, with no signs of distress or unusual behavior (40:08).

• Sunday Morning: Mike had informed his boss he would return to work, and by 3:30 PM, Kathy’s brother knocked on the front door with no response, indicating the murders had already occurred (42:56).

Suspicion on Amy Velardi

The discovery of the bodies thrust Amy Velardi into the spotlight. She underwent a polygraph test on the day she found her family, a standard procedure that left her feeling like a suspect (48:21). Amy publicly expressed frustration with law enforcement's handling of the case, hinting at potential trust issues and strained relationships within the family.

Notably, Facebook posts revealed long-standing tensions between Amy and her mother Kathy, where Amy accused Kathy of narcissism and other personality disorders (52:57). These revelations suggest possible motives rooted in familial discord rather than straightforward robbery.

Family Dynamics and Potential Motives

The hosts explore the complex relationships within the Scott family:

• Mike and Kathy Scott: A couple who led simple lives, heavily involved in their community and dedicated to raising their grandkids (57:55).

• Barbara and Violet: Elderly matriarchs who were beloved in the community, making their murders even more perplexing given their lack of obvious enemies (35:10).

Amy and her husband Ross had a tumultuous relationship with the Scott family, exacerbated by alcohol and disagreements over child custody and household responsibilities (57:55). The discovery that Mike was a part-time dealer of valuable collectibles added another layer of complexity, potentially opening avenues for robbery or personal vendettas (50:31).

Nick reflects on the brutality of the attack, questioning how the perpetrator(s) could harbor such hatred: “...how could you not hate them, right?” (31:25). He underscores the need for investigators to consider both financial motives and personal animosities.

Community and Law Enforcement Response

The Quadruple Homicide was the first of its kind in Anderson County in nearly a decade, prompting federal involvement from the FBI and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) (42:56). Sheriff John Skipper held a press conference, acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding the motive and emphasizing the absence of forced entry as an indicator that the killer was likely known to the victims (44:38).

Despite initial reassurances to the public about the safety of the community, Skipper admitted the difficulty in easing fears until more information was uncovered: “I don’t know that they shouldn’t be scared over this incident” (44:39).

Conclusion and Tease for Part 2

As Part 1 of the Pendleton Quadruple Homicide episode concludes, Nick and the Captain reflect on the puzzling nature of the murders and the evolving investigation. With unanswered questions about motives, the involvement of family members, and the chilling brutality of the crime, the hosts set the stage for a deeper exploration in the upcoming Part 2.

Notable Quotes:

• Nick (00:18): “This crime was horrific. It was like a bad dream. This crime was horrific. He a psychopath. Wicked game.”

• Captain Gaylord Major (02:14): “We're looking for evidence, anything we can find at this point. Hair, fibers, anything.”

• Nick (08:07): “This was an attack. Injuries, blood, and other evidence is telling investigators that there was little in the way of a struggle or altercation.”

• Captain Gaylord Major (14:27): “They were just good people. I never would have imagined this in a million years.”

• Nick (45:13): “We have to learn more about what happened here. And so do the sheriff's office and of course they're going to be interviewing everybody that they can find.”

• Amy Velardi (48:21): “I understand that they have a job to do, but as family members, we want answers.”

Stay tuned for Part 2 of the Pendleton Quadruple Homicide on True Crime Garage, where Nick and the Captain continue to unravel the mystery behind this tragic and violent event.

Transcript Reference:

The summaries and quotes referenced above correspond to specific timestamps in the provided transcript, ensuring accurate attribution and context.