Drive-By
Drive-By / Roadside
The bridge near People's Creek off Highway 329 is accessible by road. This is a documented crime scene from 1968 — approach with respect for the victim's memory.
- Duration:
- 15 min
Photo coming soon
True Crime Site
Leroy's Bridge
A bridge near People's Creek off Highway 329 in Gaffney SC — the documented crime scene where a victim of Lee Roy Martin, the Gaffney Strangler, was found in 1968.
Highway 329 (near People's Creek Bridge), Gaffney, SC 29340
Age
18+
Cost
Free
Free; public road access
Access
Limited Access
Rural road and creek bank; uneven terrain
Equipment
Photos OK
Lee Roy Martin (April 25, 1937 – May 31, 1972) was a textile mill worker in Cherokee County, South Carolina who committed four murders between May 1967 and February 1968. His crimes terrorized the Gaffney area and earned him the press designation "The Gaffney Strangler." All four victims — Annie Lucille Dedmond, Nancy Christine Rhinehart, Nancy Godfrey Parris, and Opal Dianne Buckson — were female; they ranged in age from approximately 15 to 26 years old and were sexually assaulted and strangled.
On February 8, 1968, Martin made an anonymous phone call to Bill Gibbons, then-editor of The Gaffney Ledger, providing the names of his victims and directions to their bodies. Investigators following his directions found Nancy Carol Parris in shallow water near People's Creek bridge in Gaffney — the site now informally known as Leroy's Bridge. Martin was apprehended on February 15, 1968, after local residents spotted him in a wooded area near Cowpens; he led police to additional victim locations. He was convicted on all four murder charges and sentenced to four life sentences. Martin was stabbed to death by a fellow inmate on May 31, 1972.
The case is documented in Wikipedia, Murderpedia, and multiple true crime publications. The victims are real historical individuals who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect in any presentation of this history.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Roy_Martin
- https://murderpedia.org/male.M/m/martin-lee-roy.htm
Sounds associated with distress from beneath the bridge at night (single-source, unverified)
According to multiple independent paranormal accounts, visitors to the bridge near People's Creek after dark have reported sounds — described as a girl moaning in pain or voices begging for help — from the area beneath the bridge. These reports are consistent with the community grief and trauma mythology that attaches to sites of violent crime, and should be understood in that context.
The haunting tradition at Leroy's Bridge has been documented by at least two named paranormal investigation organizations beyond the Shadowlands index. South Carolina Supernatural Investigations (Maxwell Alexander, Aaron Sprouse, and Adam Pridgen) conducted a documented field investigation with cameras and digital recorders. Spirit Wind Paranormal Research also conducted and documented a separate investigation at the site. Additionally, SC Paranormal Research & Investigations (SCPRAI) and South Carolina Haunted Houses list the bridge as a documented haunting location with independent visitor accounts.
Hauntbound treats True Crime sites with particular sensitivity. The victims of Lee Roy Martin were real people — Nancy Carol Parris, Nancy Christine Rhinehart, Annie Lucille Dedmond, and Opal Dianne Buckson — and any engagement with this site should begin with acknowledgment of their lives, not just the circumstances of their deaths. The paranormal tradition at this bridge is presented here as community folklore and regional ghost lore, corroborated across independent sources, and the site remains classified as a True Crime Site rather than a haunted attraction.
Plan Your Visit
1 way to experienceSources & Further Reading
Every HauntBound history is researched from documented sources. We clearly separate verified historical fact from paranormal folklore.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Leroy's Bridge family-friendly?
True crime site associated with a serial murder case. Not appropriate for children. Adult visitors should approach with sensitivity to the victims and their families. Overall family fit: Not Recommended.
How much does it cost to visit Leroy's Bridge?
Free; public road access This location is free to visit.
Do I need to book in advance?
No advance booking is required, but checking availability is recommended.
Is Leroy's Bridge wheelchair accessible?
Leroy's Bridge has limited wheelchair accessibility. Terrain: Rural road and creek bank; uneven terrain.