South Carolina Apartment Tragedy Claims Life of Laury Villalobos Soler Amid Investigation Ongoing
Donaree Village Apartments, South Carolina — Laury Villalobos Soler, 34, was discovered on the morning of November 17 after first responders entered Apartment B12 for a welfare check that neighbors requested when she could not be reached. The quiet of the complex had given no hint that anything was wrong; neighbors heard nothing alarming overnight, and nothing seemed disturbed from the outside. Yet inside that modest apartment, responders found Villalobos Soler lying motionless beside her bed, sparking the beginning of a deeply troubling investigation.
Authorities quickly determined that there were no signs of forced entry, which led investigators to conclude that the person responsible was someone she knew and likely trusted enough to grant entry. Their attention turned to her former partner, 38-year-old Luis Oscar Ocanto, with whom she reportedly had a turbulent and recently severed relationship. Early findings suggest that a violent encounter occurred during her final hours, leaving investigators to piece together what unfolded behind the closed door of Apartment B12.
As news of her death spread, Ocanto had already left the area. His attempt to flee came to an abrupt end on Interstate 95 near Kingsland, Georgia, where he was stopped for speeding. What began as a routine traffic violation quickly escalated after officers learned he was wanted out of South Carolina in connection with a homicide. He was taken into custody without incident and charged with murder, along with possession of a stolen vehicle — the same vehicle tied back to the Donaree Village complex.
Forensic teams are now methodically working through the apartment, gathering DNA samples, fingerprints, and any trace evidence that could clarify the sequence of events. They are also reviewing phone records, communications, and surveillance footage from surrounding buildings to reconstruct Villalobos Soler’s final interactions. Detectives believe these digital and physical clues will be essential to building a complete timeline and understanding Ocanto’s movements in the hours before and after the incident.
At this time, Ocanto has not made any public statements, and no court date has yet been scheduled. Georgia authorities are completing their processing before extradition procedures begin, after which he is expected to be returned to South Carolina to face formal prosecution.
Much remains unknown. Authorities have not confirmed whether threats had been made prior to the incident or whether Villalobos Soler had expressed concerns for her safety. Those who knew her describe her as compassionate, driven, and deeply loved by family and friends who are now grappling with a loss that feels senseless and cruel.
As investigators continue their work, the community mourns a woman remembered for her warmth, resilience, and quiet strength. May her soul rest in peace.