Meagan Jackson stands accused of plotting to kill her ex-boyfriend, Gregory Rice, and dumping his body in a tarp in a South Carolina river. Her affair partner, Christopher Dontell, was also accused of being involved. She reported Rice missing at the time of his death and was initially charged with conspiracy to commit murder, murder, and kidnapping. Jury selection in Jackson’s trial is set to begin on June 9, 2025.
Killer CoronerÂ
Almost four years ago, Meagan Jackson, a former body transporter, had an affair with Christopher Dontell, a former Horry County deputy coroner. The two plotted to kill her current boyfriend and the father of her four children. Rice was last seen on October 2, 2020, and days later, Jackson reported him missing.Â
Rice’s body was discovered over a month later, on November 8, by a group of fishermen in the Little Pee Dee River in Marion County. Court documents show they found him wrapped in a tarp, secured with zip ties, and held down with a cinder block. An autopsy was done on his body, showing he was shot five times.Â
Meagan Jackson’s Murder Trial
The former coroner was expected to go to trial in December 2023, but before jury selection, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy and accessory after the fact for a more lenient sentence. The plea deal also offered to drop the murder charge in exchange for his testimony against Meagan Jackson during her trial.Â
The prosecution says they have surveillance evidence from a Lowe’s store showing Dontell purchasing the items that were found with Rice’s body. Digital evidence was collected, including cell phone data and license plate reader information, which was used to arrest the couple. Multiple witness interviews also condemned the two.Â
Although Meagan Jackson and Christopher Dontell were both in relationships with children, they decided to pursue one another. When Rice was murdered, Jackson was pregnant with Dontell’s child. The two worked closely together in their respective career fields, transporting and processing remains.Â
Jackson’s trial has been delayed several times, and was more recently delayed in February after her attorney asserted lawyer-legislator protection. According to South Carolina, this protection refers to legal immunity granted to both practicing lawyers and elected legislators. It shields them from having to attend court proceedings while doing their legislative duties.
Innocent or Guilty
Meagan Jackson was released on bond along with Dontell; however, they violated a no-contact order that was put in place, and they were arrested once more. They remain in jail leading up to the trial and Dontell’s sentencing. He is looking at 20 years for conspiracy and accessory and is expected to be sentenced after Meagan Jackson’s trial. Â
When both were initially arrested, they pleaded not guilty. Meagan Jackson maintains her innocence even after Dontell recently pleaded guilty to receive a lesser sentence. He will testify at her trial and prove her guilt, so she is looking at a harsher reality come jury deliberations.
