DENMARK – A Denmark man was jailed late Friday night, and a murder warrant was being prepared against him, about nine hours after his estranged wife was shot and died.

Edward Tyler said his son, Edward Chauncey Tyler, 31, of Denmark, shot and killed his wife of nine years, Roslyn R. Tyler, 37, of 1954 Honey Ford Road, Denmark.

The father and son lived next door to each other in Tyler Estates, a small community about five miles south of Denmark.

Edward Tyler, surrounded by his brothers and his pastor, registered shock and sorrow, as did they.

“They were arguing over a V,” Edward Tyler said. “The argument started in my front yard. He (Edward C. Tyler) went back in the house and got my gun and shot her.”

Edward Tyler said Roslyn fell and Edward C. Tyler shot her again.

Edward Tyler’s brother, Ruben, arrived on the scene about 15 minutes after the incident. Several hours afterward, he was still shocked by what he found there.

“I think it must have been about 3:30 (p.m.) when I got here,” Rubin Tyler said. “She was lying right over there,” he said pointing to a spot where Edward C. Tyler’s yard met his father’s.

“I think she was still alive when I got here,” Rubin said. “It looked like to me, she was still fighting for her breath.”

He said the Denmark Rescue Squad did what they could, but she was pronounced dead on the scene.

Edward Tyler said after the incident, Edward C. Tyler took Roslyn’s car, a grey 2002 Ford Explorer with South Carolina tag number 330-UYL, and left the scene.

Bamberg County Sheriff Ed Darnell said Department of Natural Resources agents from Bamberg, Barnwell and Allendale counties assisted sheriff’s department personnel in searching for Tyler. Darnell also enlisted the aid of the State Law Enforcement Division’s helicopter.

About an hour after the incident, when the body was removed, the word had cut through the small community like a razor. The yard and house were full of people – neighbors, friends and relatives – offering condolences and sympathies.

“We’re sorry this happened,” Edward Tyler said. “We didn’t expect it. We’re so sorry for Roslyn’s family and our own family.”

The Rev. Jason Copeland, who has been the family’s pastor for three years, was on hand to offer comfort to the family in the midst of crisis and pain.

“Along with my prayers for Roslyn’s family and Chauncey’s family, I elicit prayers from the whole community for these families. This is a time that they all need our prayers,” he said.

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