Meagan Jackson Sentenced to Life in Prison, Ending Shocking Horry County Murder Case
HORRY COUNTY, SC — What began as a missing person’s alert in October 2020 has now ended with a life sentence. Meagan Jackson has been found guilty of murdering her longtime partner Gregory Vincent Rice, bringing a close to one of South Carolina’s most disturbing and high-profile murder cases.
A missing person case turns into a murder investigation
Rice, 46, was last seen near Flintlake Drive outside Myrtle Beach on October 2, 2020. Just over a month later, his body was found in the Little Pee Dee River, shot multiple times and wrapped in a tarp secured with cinder blocks and zip ties. Jackson and her accomplice — then Horry County Deputy Coroner Chris Dontell — were arrested and charged with murder, confirmed by WBTW.
At the time of their arrest, neither had prior criminal records.
Conspiracy, cover-up, and abuse allegations
As the case unfolded, investigators revealed disturbing details. Surveillance footage showed Dontell buying the same items used in the body’s disposal — including cement blocks and a tarp — at a hardware store. The two suspects initially received bond, but it was later revoked after they were caught violating release terms and maintaining contact.
Prosecutors also revealed allegations of child abuse against Jackson. Warrants described her padlocking her children in a room and forcing them to urinate in containers — adding four counts of unlawful neglect of a child to her charges.
A guilty plea and testimony from inside the affair
In December 2024, Chris Dontell pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact and conspiracy, agreeing to testify against Jackson in exchange for a reduced sentence of up to 15 years. During trial, Dontell painted a chilling picture of the murder and cover-up, telling jurors that Jackson shot Rice multiple times and forced him to help move and hide the body. He said he feared for his life if he refused.
“She flipped out and was pop, pop, pop,” Dontell testified in court, as detailed by WBTW. “She didn’t say much. She told me to go to the funeral home. It was like this was a minor inconvenience.”
Family impact and emotional courtroom testimony
Rice’s daughter, Savannah, testified on the opening day of Jackson’s trial, calling her father a kind and caring man. She also revealed how she uncovered the affair — overhearing her mother and Dontell in the next room.
Savannah told jurors that Jackson once drunkenly said, “I hope what happened to your father happens to your sister.”
The emotional testimony from Savannah and others helped solidify the prosecution’s case.
Life in prison
On June 17, 2025, after just over 90 minutes of deliberation, the jury found Jackson guilty of murder. She was immediately sentenced to life in prison. Dontell’s sentencing is expected to follow in early July.
Rice’s family also filed a wrongful death lawsuit, stating he “survived for some time before succumbing to his injuries” and that Jackson and Dontell’s actions were “utterly intolerable in a civilized community.”
Following the verdict, Dontell’s sister told reporters: “Meagan is where she belongs. She has ruined the lives of many, and is an evil, evil person.”
Do you believe justice was fully served in this case?
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