WESTMINSTER, SC – Larry and Sandra Moore spent decades together, building a life in their beloved hometown and running a popular local restaurant. Now, their family and community are mourning the loss of the couple, whose bodies were discovered in their home earlier this month. Authorities say their teenage grandson is at the center of the investigation.
The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office arrested Levi Kevin Jones, 19, on two counts of murder and two counts of possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. He remains in custody at the Oconee County Detention Center while awaiting a bond hearing.
The couple, both in their seventies, were found dead by a family member inside their residence near Westminster on the night of January 15, investigators said. According to officials, preliminary evidence indicated that their deaths were the result of homicides, a conclusion that quickly unsettled both relatives and neighbors in the tight-knit rural community.
Arrest warrants released by authorities allege that Jones fatally stabbed his grandfather multiple times in the torso and neck and strangled his grandmother. The sheriff’s office has not identified a possible motive for the attack, leaving many in the community searching for answers.
Larry and Sandra Moore had long been recognized in Westminster, in part due to their decades operating Moore and Moore Fish Camp, a family-run restaurant they retired from in 2016. Regulars fondly recall Larry’s passion for fishing and Sandra’s affection for hummingbirds—details lovingly recounted in their obituaries. Their church, Calvary Church, described the loss as devastating and encouraged parishioners and friends to keep the Moore family in their thoughts and prayers.
Neighbors say the couple was known for their warmth and generosity, often hosting friends and serving meals to families throughout the area. Their deaths have cast a pall over the town, with many residents expressing shock that such violence could touch a family so deeply rooted in the community.
“Larry and Sandra were the kind of people who made everyone feel at home,” said a neighbor who has lived in the area for over 20 years. “They were always there with a story or a smile. It doesn’t seem real.”
Law enforcement emphasized that the incident was believed to be isolated and not indicative of an ongoing threat to the public. However, the lack of clarity about why the violence occurred has left many unsettled.
At this time, Jones has not entered a plea, and no attorney is listed on his behalf. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities seek to determine what led to the deaths of the couple, who leaves behind children, grandchildren and a community grappling with grief.
Funeral services for Larry and Sandra Moore drew a large gathering of friends, relatives and former customers, all hoping to honor two lives that helped define their community. For many in Westminster, memories of shared meals and kind gestures now stand alongside sorrow and unanswered questions.