Overview

• SLED Chief Mark Keel said preliminary findings show no indication the Edisto Beach blaze was intentionally set and no evidence of a pre‑fire explosion.
• Judge Diane Goodstein was not home during the October 4 fire, while her husband and two others were injured escaping and were hospitalized after waterborne rescues from nearby marshland.
• The investigation remains active, and SLED asked citizens, elected officials, and the press to avoid sharing unverified information until the cause is formally determined.
• The incident drew political crossfire after Rep. Daniel Goldman labeled the fire arson and blamed Trump allies, prompting Stephen Miller to denounce the claim as “vile” and defend the administration’s efforts against doxxing and political violence.
• Speculation referenced Goodstein’s September order temporarily blocking the state from sharing voter registration data with the DOJ, a ruling later overturned by the South Carolina Supreme Court, as media figures debated potential motives despite officials’ caution.