Digest

Joe Loughlin, a 54-year-old man from Anderson, South Carolina, was found dead in his home in 2012. His wife, Anita, was out of state at the time and learned of his death through local news. The investigation focused on the Aldrich brothers, Matt and Brad, who had a history of trouble with the law. Matt was initially evasive but eventually admitted to trading a gun with Joe. A gun that was later found in Matt Richie's yard, who had purchased it from Matt Aldrich, was determined to be capable of firing the caliber of bullet that killed Joe. However, the gun could not be definitively linked to the crime. Despite the investigation, no one was ever charged with Joe's murder. Anita believes that Greg Aldrich, Matt's father, was involved in Joe's death due to a long-standing feud between the two families. The case remains unsolved, and investigators are still seeking information from anyone who may have knowledge of the crime.

Outlines

00:00:00

Joe Loughlin's Death

This Chapter introduces Joe Loughlin, a 54-year-old man from Anderson, South Carolina, who was found dead in his home in 2012. His wife, Anita, was out of state at the time and learned of his death through local news. The investigation focused on the Aldrich brothers, Matt and Brad, who had a history of trouble with the law. Matt was initially evasive but eventually admitted to trading a gun with Joe. A gun that was later found in Matt Richie's yard, who had purchased it from Matt Aldrich, was determined to be capable of firing the caliber of bullet that killed Joe. However, the gun could not be definitively linked to the crime.

00:00:59

The Investigation Begins

This Chapter details the initial investigation into Joe Loughlin's death. Joe's friend, Chad, noticed Joe's absence from work and went to check on him. When he found the doors locked and the air conditioning running, he became concerned and called the police. Deputies arrived and found Joe's body inside the house. The investigation focused on the Aldrich brothers, Matt and Brad, who had a history of trouble with the law. Matt was initially evasive but eventually admitted to trading a gun with Joe. A gun that was later found in Matt Richie's yard, who had purchased it from Matt Aldrich, was determined to be capable of firing the caliber of bullet that killed Joe. However, the gun could not be definitively linked to the crime.

00:01:41

The Aldrich Brothers

This Chapter focuses on the Aldrich brothers, Matt and Brad, who were considered persons of interest in Joe Loughlin's murder. Brad was found with blood on his hands, but he claimed it was from picking up a dead animal. Matt was evasive and initially denied having any guns, but later admitted to trading a gun with Joe. A gun that was later found in Matt Richie's yard, who had purchased it from Matt Aldrich, was determined to be capable of firing the caliber of bullet that killed Joe. However, the gun could not be definitively linked to the crime.

00:19:01

The Family Feud

This Chapter explores the potential motive behind Joe Loughlin's murder. Anita, Joe's wife, believes that Greg Aldrich, Matt's father, was involved in Joe's death due to a long-standing feud between the two families. She claims that Greg had a history of animosity towards Joe and blamed him for his brother's suicide. The case remains unsolved, and investigators are still seeking information from anyone who may have knowledge of the crime.

Keywords

Q&A

• Who was Joe Loughlin, and what happened to him?

  Joe Loughlin was a 54-year-old man from Anderson, South Carolina, who was found dead in his home in 2012. His death was ruled a homicide, and the case remains unsolved.

• Who are the Aldrich brothers, and what is their connection to Joe Loughlin's death?

  The Aldrich brothers, Matt and Brad, were considered persons of interest in Joe Loughlin's murder. They had a history of trouble with the law, and Matt admitted to trading a gun with Joe. However, the investigation into the Aldrich brothers was inconclusive, and no charges were ever filed.

• What evidence was found at the crime scene, and what did it reveal?

  Joe Loughlin was found lying face down in his living room with multiple gunshot wounds. Investigators found a note that appeared to be an informal bill of sale indicating that Joe had purchased a 9-millimeter handgun from Matt Aldrich. A gun that was later found in Matt Richie's yard, who had purchased it from Matt Aldrich, was determined to be capable of firing the caliber of bullet that killed Joe. However, the gun could not be definitively linked to the crime.

• What is Anita Loughlin's theory about Joe's murder?

  Anita Loughlin, Joe's wife, believes that Greg Aldrich, Matt's father, was involved in Joe's death due to a long-standing feud between the two families. She claims that Greg had a history of animosity towards Joe and blamed him for his brother's suicide.

• What happened to Brad Aldrich after Joe Loughlin's murder?

  Brad Aldrich was arrested in 2018 for the murders of his grandmother and mother. He entered a guilty but mentally ill plea and was sentenced to 40 years in prison.

• Why does the case remain unsolved?

  The case remains unsolved because investigators were unable to definitively link any of the suspects to the crime. The gun that was found in Matt Richie's yard could not be definitively linked to Joe's murder, and there was no other physical evidence to connect any of the suspects to the crime scene. The lack of a clear motive also contributed to the case remaining unsolved.

• What is the current status of the investigation?

  The case remains open, and investigators are still seeking information from anyone who may have knowledge of the crime. They are particularly interested in speaking with Matt Aldrich, who they believe may have information about Joe's murder.

• What can listeners do to help solve the case?

  Listeners are urged to call the Anderson County Sheriff's Office at 864-260-4400 or Sergeant Kendall Cash directly at 864-209-0582. They can also call the Anderson County Crime Stoppers anonymously.

• What is the significance of this case?

  Joe Loughlin's murder is a reminder that even in small towns, crimes can go unsolved. The case also highlights the importance of family dynamics and the potential for resentment and violence to erupt within families. The case is a testament to the enduring pain and frustration of families who have lost loved ones to unsolved crimes.

• What is the impact of unsolved murders on families?

  Unsolved murders can have a devastating impact on families. They are left with unanswered questions, a sense of injustice, and a constant fear that the perpetrator may still be at large. The lack of closure can make it difficult for families to move on with their lives.

Show Notes