A 19-year-old high school student was found dead Tuesday night in Spartanburg County, prompting an active investigation by local authorities.
According to Rusty Clevenger, the coroner’s office was called around 10 p.m. to the intersection of Howard Street and Simuel Road after reports of a person lying in the roadway. Upon arrival, officials discovered Jose Julian Morales-Diaz, 19, of Spartanburg, deceased in the road.
Morales-Diaz was a student at Dorman High School, according to authorities. News of his death has deeply impacted classmates, teachers, and the wider school community.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol and the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office are jointly investigating to determine the circumstances surrounding his death. Deputies initially responded to a report of a “man down” in the roadway.
Officials have not yet released details about how Morales-Diaz died, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to contact Sergeant Ben Johnson at rbjohnson@spartanburgcounty.org or call (864) 503-4607.
The administration of Spartanburg County School District 6 has been consulted to ensure support services are available for students and staff during this difficult time.
