Wanted man’s death believed to have occurred in July

On Saturday, November 6th, 2021 at approximately 2:15 pm, the Oconee County Sheriff’s Department, Oconee Emergency Services and Oconee County Coroner’s Office were dispatched to a home on Jennifer Lane, Seneca.   This physical address is located in the Oakway Community near Seneca.

The body of a decomposed male was discovered deceased in this home; based on evidence observed at this location, it is presumed the deceased died toward the middle to late July of this year.

During the death investigation, the Oconee County Coroner Office and Oconee County Sheriff’s Department received information the deceased was on the U.S. Marshall Service 15 Most Wanted list.

The U.S. Marshal Service was notified a person they were seeking had been possibly been found dead.  This agency was very cooperative in providing necessary information necessary to make identification of this deceased.

An autopsy was performed on, Monday, November 15, 2021.  A post mortem fingerprint was obtained and compared to known fingerprints of this fugitive.  Identification was made based on the fingerprints with assistance to Oconee County agencies from the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department.

Specimens have been submitted to the SLED laboratory for DNA analysis as a second means of identification.

The deceased is identified as:  Frederick Cecil McLean, age 70, formerly of California.

The cause of death is pending.  No foul play is suspected in this death.

The U.S. Marshal Service currently has an ongoing investigation and this office will not be able to make further comment.