Darryl Duncan (left), director of operations for Sam's Club region 79, talks with Richmond County Chief Deputy Ronald Strength Friday afternoon. Duncan anounced Sam's Club is increasing the reward to $200,000 for information leading to the arrest of the killer of Sam's Club manager David Holt. PATRICK J. KROHN/STAFF

Reward in Sam's case is doubled

Probe into killing of manager has eliminated suspects but produced no arrests as offer increases

Web posted October 10, 1998

By By Meghan Gourley
Staff Writer

Nearly four months after a Sam's Club manager was kidnapped and killed, officials promised the trail to a killer has not grown cold. But to encourage help from the public, club officials doubled a reward to $200,000 Friday.

Although Richmond County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Ronald Strength said many people have been ruled out as suspects in the death of David Holt, he said no one is being targeted in the June 21 killing.

Mr. Holt, 45, was kidnapped after leaving his job at Sam's Club on Bobby Jones Expressway, and the store was robbed. His burning car was found about three hours later in Aiken County. Mr. Holt had been locked in the trunk and died in the fire.

Police maintain robbery was the likely motive for the killing.

Wal-Mart, the parent company of Sam's Club, initially offered a $25,000 reward for information in the killing, and that was increased to $100,000. At a Friday news conference, Sam's Club director of operations Darryl Duncan said the company is committed to seeing justice done and announced that a $200,000 reward now is being offered.

``We will not rest until an arrest is made,'' Mr. Duncan said.

The chief deputy said the reward offer has brought many calls to police and he hopes they continue.

``The case is very active and ongoing,'' Chief Deputy Strength said. ``There have been hundreds and hundreds of man-hours spent on this case ... no way is it at a standstill.''

Mr. Holt left the store shortly after midnight and likely was on his way home to Cayce, S.C. But he returned to the store at about 1:30 a.m., when the store was presumed to have been robbed. Police have not recovered video surveillance tapes that had been taken from the store. He had been driving a gold 1997 Mazda Protege with South Carolina license plate 332 AVY.

Officials urge anyone with information to call the Richmond County Sheriff's Department at (706) 821-1080, the Aiken County Sheriff's Office at (803) 642-1761 or the Federal Bureau of Investigation at (706) 722-3702.

By Meghan Gourley covers crime for The Augusta Chronicle. She can be reached at (706) 823-3227 or newsroom@augustachronicle.com.