FLORENCE, S.C. — August 24, 2026 — A heartbreaking tragedy has left a Florence, South Carolina, community mourning the loss of 39-year-old Darnissa Ford and 36-year-old Leon Ford II, who were found deceased Monday following a shooting on East McIver Road.

According to an immediate release from the Florence County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to East McIver Road after receiving a report of a shooting involving a victim. When deputies arrived at the scene, they discovered two individuals deceased.

Florence County Coroner Keith Von Lutcken identified the deceased as Darnissa Ford and Leon Ford II. Investigators are describing the incident as a murder-suicide.

The news of their deaths has brought profound sadness to those who knew them, as two lives have been lost in a tragedy that has undoubtedly left family members, friends and loved ones searching for answers and struggling to comprehend what happened.

Darnissa Ford, 39, and Leon Ford II, 36, will be remembered as individuals whose lives were connected to families, friends and people who cared about them. While the circumstances surrounding their deaths remain under investigation, their loved ones are now left to grieve and remember the moments, memories and experiences they shared with them.

During times of sudden loss, there are often no words capable of fully expressing the pain experienced by those left behind. The shock of losing someone unexpectedly can leave families facing an overwhelming mixture of sadness, disbelief and unanswered questions.

As the investigation continues, the focus remains on understanding the events that led to the tragic deaths on East McIver Road. Authorities have not released additional information at this time, and investigators are expected to provide further details if and when they become available.

For those who knew Darnissa and Leon, this tragedy represents much more than a police investigation. It is the loss of two people whose absence will be deeply felt by those who loved them.

Their families are now facing the difficult days ahead as they mourn privately, reflect on their lives and hold onto the memories that remain. In the midst of such sorrow, those memories can become a lasting reminder of the lives they lived and the people they were to those closest to them.

May Darnissa Ford and Leon Ford II be remembered with dignity and compassion. May their families, friends and loved ones find strength and comfort during this incredibly difficult time.

May they rest in peace, and may their memories live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved them.

This article is based on information released by the Florence County Sheriff’s Office and the Florence County Coroner. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details may be released as authorities continue their work.