Bartender Charged with Manslaughter Following Fatal Stair Incident at South Carolina Bar

Greenville Spartanburg Asheville Anderson, SC, September 26, 2026 —

A bartender at Coot’s Bar and Grill on Edisto Island, South Carolina, faces charges of voluntary manslaughter following an incident that resulted in the death of a visitor. Joyce Tomlinson, who was reportedly on the island for a birthday trip, died three weeks after allegedly being pushed down a flight of stairs at the establishment.

The bartender, identified as Mary Hunt, has been charged in connection with Tomlinson’s death. According to reports, Hunt claims that the victim, Joyce Tomlinson, was belligerent prior to the incident and that Tomlinson fell down the stairs.

The exact circumstances leading up to the alleged push and Tomlinson’s subsequent fall remain under investigation. The victim sustained a head injury from the fall, which ultimately led to her death approximately three weeks later.

The charge of voluntary manslaughter indicates that prosecutors believe Hunt acted with intent to cause serious bodily harm or death, or acted recklessly, leading to Tomlinson’s demise. The defense may argue the incident was an accidental fall as suggested by Hunt. Further details regarding the timeline of events, witness accounts, and the specific findings of the investigation have not yet been fully disclosed.

Edisto Island is a coastal community located in Charleston County, South Carolina. Coot’s Bar and Grill is a local establishment on the island. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and additional information is expected as legal proceedings develop.

Story summarized from the original created by Emily Johnson, Jeff McGee on www.foxcarolina.com, see more information here.

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