ABRILZ VOORHEES
Investigators with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit have made an arrest in connection with the 2023 murder of 57-year-old Janet Abrilz, whose body was discovered in Lakeside Park on August 27, 2023.
Robert Wilson Voorhes (49), who was already incarcerated in the Greenville County Detention Center on unrelated charges from Greenville PD, has been charged with Murder and is awaiting a bond hearing on the new charge.
Abrilz’s body was found by a person walking along the trails that afternoon, prompting an extensive homicide investigation. Following the autopsy, the Greenville County Coroner’s Office determined that Abrilz died as a result of blunt force trauma and estimated her death occurred between August 24th and August 25th, 2023.
Over the past two years, investigators have pursued every available lead, executed numerous search warrants, and collaborated across multiple divisions to piece together the circumstances surrounding Abrilz’s death. Despite those exhaustive efforts, the case remained unsolved until this week.
That changed this week when investigators were able to substantiate probable cause following a DNA match to the suspect. Sheriff Lewis commended the tireless efforts of investigators, forensic specialists, and community members who never gave up in their pursuit of justice for Janet and her family.
“This case has weighed heavily on our agency and on our community for more than two years. From the very beginning, our investigators made a commitment that we would not stop until we found answers. Today, we’re proud to say that promise has been kept.”
This case marked the 14th cold case homicide solved since Sheriff Hobart Lewis revamped the unit in August 2020.
