An Aiken man is being held in connection with his wife’s shooting death Tuesday at their home in the Houndslake community.
Richard Whitaker, 70, is charged with murder and weapon possession in the death of 70-year-old Ruth Ann Whitaker, authorities said.
The victim was fatally shot inside her home Tuesday at 1404 Woodbine Road in Aiken. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aiken officers were called to 1404 Woodbine Road in Aiken about a shooting victim inside the home. According to an online profile, the suspect is owner of Raw & Art Aiken and makes hand-crafted jewelry. The business location is listed as the home on Woodbine Road.
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“Having worked all my life in my family’s textile business, where color was king, my passion was set,” the artist’s website says. “My transition to jewelry making began when a gemstone dealer taught me to knot 20 years ago. I’ve been knotting ever since then.”
Houndslake is a quiet residential community in Aiken that is centered around 27 holes of championship golf.
(Note: If you have a photo of the Ruth Ann to share, please text it to 803-387-3224.)
Greg Rickabaugh is the Jail Report contributor for The Augusta Press. Reach him at greg.rickabaugh@theaugustapress.com
