“She Trusted Him. He Killed Her.” The Tragic Death of Annie Lokie and the Man Now Accused
GREENVILLE, SC — For months, 24-year-old Annie Lokie was simply gone. Her family’s worst fears churned in silence as days turned into weeks, and weeks into months with no sign of the young woman who had once lit up every room she entered. She was pregnant, full of hope, full of life—and then, without a word, she vanished. The one person who should’ve been searching the hardest for her—Tyrique Williams, her boyfriend and the father of her unborn child—never even reported her missing.
Now, the agonizing truth has surfaced.
This week, investigators recovered Annie’s body from a remote pond, concealed beneath murky water and months of secrets. The case, once cold and aimless, took a dark turn when authorities charged Tyrique Williams, 26, a U.S. Army trainee, with her murder.
The man Annie trusted with her heart—and her child—has now been accused of taking both their lives.
A Life Cut Short
Annie was last seen alive in late autumn of last year. Her sudden disappearance left family and friends baffled. She wasn’t the type to disappear without a trace. She kept in touch with her parents, shared her excitement about the baby, and made plans for the future.
“She was glowing,” said her cousin, Kara Dempsey. “She wanted that baby more than anything. She believed Tyrique was going to be a good father. She was trying to build something.”
But that future never came. Instead, as Annie’s family frantically searched for her, Tyrique Williams stayed silent. He offered no help, no support, and—most chillingly—no concern.
A Web of Deceit
What investigators uncovered next stunned even the most seasoned detectives. While Annie’s loved ones were holding vigils and plastering flyers across the Southeast, Williams had already moved on—marrying another woman, starting a new life, erasing all signs that Annie ever existed.
“He pretended like she was a ghost,” said Annie’s sister. “He knew. He always knew what happened to her.”
According to court documents, Williams gave conflicting stories to those who asked about Annie. First, he said they’d broken up. Then, he claimed she had “left town.” His lies were thin, but without a body, there was little anyone could prove—until a recent tip led authorities to a secluded pond on the edge of Sumter County.
Divers made the gruesome discovery last week: Annie Lokie’s body, bound and weighted down. The cause of death has not yet been officially released, but investigators say the evidence points to homicide—premeditated, and likely calculated to conceal her fate.
The Arrest
Tyrique Williams was taken into custody late Tuesday night without incident. A spokesperson from Fort Jackson, where Williams had been undergoing military training, confirmed his status as an active trainee and said the Army is cooperating fully with the investigation.
“The betrayal is unfathomable,” said lead detective Shana Morgan. “He not only took Annie’s life, but he watched her family suffer, grieve, and beg for answers while pretending he had nothing to hide.”
Williams now faces charges of first-degree murder, feticide, and failure to report a missing person. Prosecutors are reportedly weighing additional charges, and the case may soon be presented to a grand jury.
A Family’s Endless Grief
For Annie Lokie’s loved ones, the pain is immeasurable. They mourn not just her death, but the violent erasure of her presence. A woman who should have been decorating a nursery is now being prepared for burial. A baby that should’ve been cradled in arms will never take a breath.
“No mother should have to bury her daughter like this,” said Annie’s mother through tears. “And certainly not her grandchild, too.”
The family is now focused on getting justice—and keeping Annie’s name alive. They’ve launched a memorial fund in her honor and are calling for stronger protections for pregnant women in domestic relationships.
A Final Goodbye
As funeral arrangements are made, the community that once rallied to find Annie is now uniting to mourn her. Vigils are being planned in Greenville, where she grew up, and in Columbia, where she last lived. Her story has gripped hearts across the country—not just because of the crime, but because of what it says about love, trust, and the dangers some women face behind closed doors.
Annie Lokie was 24 years old. She had dreams. She had a future. She had life growing inside her.
And now, because of one man’s cowardice and cruelty, she has become a name in a police report.
Rest in peace, Annie. You—and your baby—deserved the world.