Police find evidence linking Roger Lavar Smalls to 2022 murder in Moncks Corner

SUMMERVILLE, SC (WCIV) — In a joint press conference Thursday morning, Summerville police released details of a murder that occurred earlier in the week.

They revealed a shocking detail. The man accused in that case, Roger Lavar Smalls, reportedly confessed to another murder in 2022.

In Tuesday's case, the Dorchester County coroner identified the victim found dead at the scene as 71-year-old Priscilla Ann Yager. The fire was intended to cover up Yager's murder.

Summerville police were unable to provide a motive for the murder. However, when asked if there was a connection between Smalls and Yager, Summerville Police Chief Doug Wright claimed there “may have been some type of interaction in the past, possibly related to work that was being done on their property.”

READ MORE | “Summerville man arrested Tuesday for murder now linked to 2022 Moncks Corner murder.”

Summerville police provided a timeline of the murder.

Officials said Smalls was picked up by a person at a Summerville laundromat around 6:55 a.m. Tuesday.

Officials are unsure when Smalls arrived near Yager's home, but police say it was shortly after his arrest.

Smalls said he was being taken to a construction site.

At 10:47 a.m., officials said, Yager's operation of the vehicle was recorded by surveillance technology.

At 11:05 a.m., Dominion Energy employees noticed smoke coming from Yager's home. They attempted to contact the homeowner without success.

The first Summerville Police officer arrived on scene at 11:10 a.m.

At 1:20 p.m., Charleston County Sheriff's Office officers deployed “stop sticks” and punctured the vehicle's tires.

Smalls was taken to the Medical University of South Carolina and then to Summerville Police Headquarters, where he was questioned by detectives and confessed to the murder and arson.

“I believe that removing this dangerous man from the streets could have saved more lives,” said Dorchester County Coroner Paul Brouthers. “But the bottom line is that this case was senseless. It wasn't necessary, but it happened. We will do our best to make sure justice is served in this case.”

READ MORE | “Man confesses to murder after suspicious fire at Summerville home: police.”

The murder weapon was found by a Summerville Police Department sniffer dog and officer at 10:40 a.m. on Wednesday.

Smalls broke into Yager's home to steal something, then armed himself with one of her kitchen knives and attacked Yager with it, according to affidavits. Smalls then set Yager's body on fire to destroy the evidence and removed the smoke detector to delay the arrival of emergency responders.

He then stole Yager's vehicle.

Yager's autopsy is scheduled for Friday morning, and the cause of death cannot be determined until the results are available, Brouthers said.

However, this is not the first crime Smalls has committed in this manner. During Thursday's press conference, Moncks Corner police said Smalls also killed a woman in 2022.

“Our investigators spoke with Summerville investigators about some similarities between the cases,” said Police Chief Steve Young, a member of the Moncks Corner Police Department. “As soon as the Charleston County Sheriff's Office arrested Smalls, we learned about it. We realized this was the person at the center of our case.”

READ MORE | “Woman found dead in Moncks Corner apartment fire under murder investigation.”

The case involved a murder in Moncks Corner that occurred two years ago. Susie Kochever, 65, was found dead after a fire in her home.

“Last Tuesday night, with the help of the Summerville Police Department, we were finally able to gather enough information to charge him with Susie's murder,” Young said. “We believe Smalls broke into her home. Inside the home, an altercation occurred between Susie and Smalls. A fight ensued. She was severely beaten and killed, and the fire was set with the intent of destroying evidence.”

“He admitted to breaking into the house,” Young continued, “that there was an altercation between him and Susie, and that he subsequently murdered her and set fire to the apartment.”

Moncks Corner police released affidavits Thursday regarding the 2022 murder.

Smalls allegedly broke into Kochever's home to steal and armed herself in defense. However, according to officials, Smalls took her gun and used it to knock her unconscious before smothering her with a pillow, according to case documents. Smalls is accused of setting a fire near the victim's bedroom closet, damaging the apartment and desecrating the victim's body.

In both cases, Smalls faces numerous charges.

READ MORE | “Summerville house fire ruled a homicide, suspect Roger Lavar Smalls charged.”

In the September 22, 2022, Kochever murder case, Smalls was charged with murder, first-degree burglary, desecration of human remains, second-degree arson, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

Smalls was denied bail at his hearing Thursday evening.

For the September 17, 2024, murder of Yager, Smalls is charged with murder, first-degree burglary, first-degree arson, grand theft more than $2,000 but less than $10,000, desecration of human remains, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

Officials said Smalls was on parole at the time of Yager's murder and his parole officers were aware of the situation.

Summerville police also said no charges will be filed against the man who dropped Smalls off near Yager's apartment. They said the man thought he was just dropping Smalls off on an errand he had to run.

Chief Wright said this case could certainly be considered a death penalty case, but that decision rests with the prosecutor. Chief Wright also said other agencies across the state have reached out to Summerville police with questions to see if there are any similarities to ongoing cases.

He asked that anyone who was a victim of Smalls or who was in a similar situation and survived should notify local authorities so they can investigate the case.