Man sentenced after remarrying and starting new life while deceased partner lay buried beneath backyard firepit

Sheridan Dirk Fogle, 56, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for killing his 51-year-old girlfriend, Penni Whiteside, and burying her remains beneath a backyard firepit.

The case unfolded in Myrtle Beach, where authorities recovered the remains of Penni Whiteside in June 2024 at the home of Sheridan Dirk Fogle after a lengthy investigation into her disappearance.

Incident Overview

According to authorities, Sheridan Dirk Fogle killed Penni Whiteside in March or April 2022. Following the killing, Fogle placed her body in a custom-built wooden keepsake box that his grandfather had given him, keeping the box inside the house for several days. Fogle later buried the remains beneath a backyard firepit at his Myrtle Beach property, where the body remained for about two years. During the period when the remains were still inside the home, Fogle even hosted another man who spent the night, while the two discussed becoming potential roommates. Fogle later remarried, moved to Orangeburg, and started a new life while Whiteside remained buried beneath the property.

Suspect Information

Sheridan Dirk Fogle is a 56-year-old man. Court records and trial testimony highlighted a history of domestic violence against Whiteside, including a November 2021 arrest where police responded to their apartment after he allegedly punched her in the chest and caused her to fall. Approximately a month later, he reportedly stole her credit and debit cards.

Victim Information

The victim in this case is 51-year-old Penni Whiteside. Her brother reported her missing in May 2022 after she disappeared.

Police Response

Local law enforcement began investigating the disappearance after Whiteside's brother reported her missing in May 2022. Investigators initially interviewed Fogle, who falsely claimed that Whiteside had left on her own and would be coming back for her belongings.

Investigation

The investigation advanced when neighbors reported that Fogle stated he had buried something in the backyard and grew heavily territorial whenever anyone approached the firepit area. Armed with this information, investigators obtained a search warrant for the property, excavated the firepit, and uncovered the wooden box containing Whiteside's remains.

Evidence Collected

• A custom-built wooden keepsake box constructed by Fogle's grandfather
• Human remains later identified as Penni Whiteside
• Video-recorded police interview of the suspect
• Credit and debit cards associated with the victim

Arrest Details

Fogle was arrested in connection with the homicide, and local affiliates reported that arrest warrants detailed his suspicious behavior regarding the backyard firepit. Following legal proceedings, he stood trial in Myrtle Beach.

Charges Filed

• Murder: The intentional killing of another human being. In South Carolina, a murder conviction carries severe statutory penalties, including a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole or a sentence of death depending on aggravating circumstances.

Court Information

The trial took place in South Carolina, where prosecutor Nancy Livesay handled the state's case against the defendant. Fogle testified in his own defense, claiming self-defense and stating that he blacked out, but the jury ultimately convicted him, leading to his life sentence.

Statements from Authorities

During the trial, prosecutor Nancy Livesay pressed Fogle regarding his self-defense claims and his actions following the killing. "During the two years you struggled with this, while Penni was facedown in that box ... you had remarried and moved to Orangeburg and started a new life. Is that correct?" Livesay asked. Fogle acknowledged his actions on the stand, stating, "I get angry, and I snap ... and I say things that I don't normally do."

Public Safety Information

Domestic violence and abuse remain critical public safety concerns across communities. Individuals experiencing domestic violence or knowing someone in danger can seek confidential support and resources by contacting the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or calling 911 in an immediate emergency.

What Happens Next

With the trial concluded and the defendant sentenced to life in prison, the criminal case concludes at the trial court level, though defense counsel retains standard appellate rights to challenge the conviction or sentence within the bounds of state law.