By: Jeremy Handel, Staff Writer
Woodruff Police have arrested a local woman for the death of Ayla Rhiannon Franklin, 22, who was found dead in the front yard of a home in the 100 block of Irby Street in August. Police arrested 45-year-old Heather Wessel, the victim’s mother, on one count of manslaughter.
Following a two-month investigation and the results of an autopsy, police determined that Franklin died as the result of an altercation with Wessel.
Franklin’s body was discovered by EMS on the afternoon of August 7. Police said there were no immediate signs of foul play. Franklin’s body was taken by the Spartanburg County Coroner’s office for an examination. Following the Coroner’s review, the case was upgraded to a homicide investigation.
Woodruff police took Wessel into custody Friday afternoon, and she was transferred to the Spartanburg County Detention Center.
Author: Tracy Sanders
