A former South Carolina police officer wanted in connection with the murder of his wife and a sex crime involving a minor is in custody more than two decades later.
Dan Hiers Jr., 53, has been returned to the United States in connection with the alleged crimes in 2004 and 2005, the U.S. Marshals Service said in a press release last week.
He disappeared soon after his wife, 24-year-old Ludimila Hiers, was found dead in her Goose Creek, S.C. home in March 2005, per the release.
At the time of Ludimila’s killing, Dan was under investigation for allegedly committing lewd acts against a child under 16, the release states, adding that he was an officer with the Charleston Police Department in South Carolina at the time.
His license was suspended in 2004 following those accusations, however, and he was arrested in November 2004; he was then released on bond. He allegedly failed to show up for a scheduled surrender on additional charges the following month.
Months later, on March 15, 2005, Ludimila was found dead after what authorities said was a fatal shooting carried out by Dan, according to the release, which alleges he shot her in the back of the head as she slept.
Dan allegedly disappeared soon after a warrant was issued for his arrest following the murder.
On Wednesday, July 22, USMS officials arrived in China to take him into custody, per the release.
At the time of his apprehension last week, he had an outstanding USMS warrant against him on allegations of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution; a warrant from Dorchester County, S.C. on allegations of criminal sexual conduct with a minor and a warrant from Goose Creek, S.C. on allegations of murder, according to the release.
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In an online obituary posted after her death, Ludimila was remembered as a beloved friend and hardworking student.
“She was the most delightful person to be around. I cannot say that I have ever met someone as beautiful both on the inside and out as Mila Hiers,” read a note from a friend. “My heart bleeds with despair that I won’t ever see her or talk to her anymore.”
It’s not immediately clear if Dan has been formally indicted on the charges. Online court records for Dorchester County and Berkeley County, the jurisdiction for Goose City, did not show updated information as of Monday, July 27.
