An Aiken County man has been charged with murder in the stabbing death of his stepfather and the attempted murder of his mother, authorities said.
Aiken County Coroner Darryl Ables confirmed that 73-year-old Mark Douglas Burch died after being stabbed during an incident over the weekend at his rural Aiken County home.
According to Ables, the stabbing occurred around 1:20 a.m. Sunday at the victim’s residence on the 500 block of John Scott Road. Burch was transported by EMS to Wellstar MCG Health after sustaining multiple stab wounds.
“Mr. Burch succumbed to his injuries (Tuesday) morning at 3:15 a.m.,” Ables said. “Our office responded at 4:22 a.m. to the hospital to continue our investigation.”
Authorities identified the suspect as Dale York Carlin III, 50, who lives at the same address. Deputies responding to the scene found both victims suffering from multiple stab wounds and took Carlin into custody at the residence, according to the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office.
Carlin was initially charged with the attempted murder of his stepfather, but that charge has been upgraded to murder following Burch’s death. He also faces a charge of attempted murder in the attack on his mother, Christine Ehler Burch, who remains hospitalized in stable condition.
A motive for the stabbing has not been released.
An autopsy for Burch is scheduled next week in Newberry. The Aiken County Coroner’s Office and Aiken County Sheriff’s Office are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the case.
