HORRY COUNTY, S.C. — A woman and her children involved in the deadly missing person investigation of Corey Soles have been sentenced following guilty pleas and convictions in court Monday.
Samantha Watts, initially arrested on drug charges, later pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced by Judge Michael Nettles to 45 years in prison. The murder charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years and can extend to life without parole.
Her son, Payton Watts, also pleaded guilty to murder and received a 35-year sentence.
Amber Watts, Samantha’s daughter, pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact to a felony and was sentenced to six years in prison with an additional five years of probation.
Another son, Jonathan Watts, pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and battery. He received credit for 908 days already served under the Youthful Offender Act.
The defendants are tied to the case of Corey Soles, who was reported missing on January 10, 2023. His body was discovered six days later near Green Sea Road in Galivants Ferry.
Warrants state Samantha Watts assisted her codefendant Jonathan Watts while Soles was attacked with a blunt object multiple times, causing fatal injuries. Amber Watts reportedly helped conceal evidence and dispose of the body. Payton Watts’ exact role remains undisclosed, though he is charged with murder.
Others arrested include James Porter (charged with assault by mob and failure to appear) and Joshua Brown (charged with accessory after the fact).
The investigation did not reveal a clear motive. Soles had worked alongside his father in a towing and recovery business in Chadbourn.
