News Summary
Jessica Strachan has received a 35-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to the murder of her boyfriend, Devanta Griffin. The plea agreement, an Alford plea, allows her to maintain innocence while admitting evidence could lead to conviction. Strachan faced additional charges, including possession of a weapon during a violent crime, which were dropped. The case, stemming from Griffin’s 2022 disappearance, underscores the complexities of violent crime investigations and their community impact.
Spartanburg, South Carolina – Jessica Strachan, 31, has been sentenced to 35 years in prison after pleading guilty to the murder of her boyfriend, Devanta Alzondrae Griffin, 28. The sentence was handed down by Circuit Court Judge J. Mark Hayes II on May 14, 2025, following an Alford plea which allows defendants to plead guilty while maintaining their innocence.
As part of the plea agreement, Strachan will receive credit for 1,127 days already served in custody. Additionally, charges of possession of a weapon during a violent crime and obstructing justice were dropped, allowing Strachan to focus on the murder charge alone.
Griffin was declared missing in March 2022, triggering a search that led to the discovery of his body in a wooded area near Roebuck, South Carolina on April 22, 2022. Investigators determined that Strachan was the last person to see Griffin alive, making her a primary suspect early in the investigation.
Strachan was apprehended in July 2022 after fleeing to Miami, Florida, where she was located and arrested. Initially charged with obstructing justice for hindering the investigative process, her charges later escalated to murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime by the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office.
After being extradited to South Carolina, Strachan posted bond but soon violated her home detention terms by traveling to Miami. She was subsequently re-arrested on April 25, 2022, for this violation, and has remained incarcerated since.
The case against Strachan has drawn significant attention, given the circumstances surrounding Griffin’s death and Strachan’s subsequent actions following the incident. Before being formally charged with murder, Strachan had cooperated with investigators during the initial inquiry into Griffin’s disappearance. However, the discovery of Griffin’s body and the evidence collected led authorities to pursue more serious charges against her.
The tragic outcome of this case highlights the impact of violent crime in the community and the importance of thorough investigations by law enforcement to bring justice to victims and their families. As Strachan begins her prison sentence, the local community continues to grapple with the repercussions of this case and its effect on the victims’ circle and broader neighborhood.
Strachan’s case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of violent actions and the complexities involved in legal proceedings related to murder charges. The judicial system’s handling of such cases remains crucial in maintaining law and order within the community, serving to uphold justice for those affected by crime.
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Additional Resources
- Fox Carolina: Woman Enters Plea Deal in Spartanburg County Murder Case
- Google Search: Jessica Strachan
- Go Upstate: Spartanburg Woman Pleads Guilty to Murder
- Wikipedia: Murder
- WYFF4: Woman Charged with Murder in Spartanburg Case
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Murder
- Oxygen: Jessica Strachan Charged in Murder Case
- Google News: Spartanburg Murder
Author: STAFF HERE SPARTANBURG
The SPARTANBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESpartanburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Spartanburg International Festival, Spartanburg ArtWalk, and motorsport events at Spartanburg Speedway. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and textiles that power the local economy such as BMW Manufacturing and Milliken & Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
