Love Turns Deadly: South Carolina Man Convicted of Murdering Rival

GREENWOOD, S.C. — In a tragic case that has captured national attention, 46-year-old Davis McClendon was found dead by the side of the road near his mangled car in the early hours of May 7, 2023. Initially presumed to be a hit-and-run, the investigation quickly implicated local businessman Bud Ackerman, McClendon’s romantic rival.

Authorities discovered the body of McClendon about 50 feet from his BMW sedan, which was littered with debris. His shirt and shoe lay abandoned on the pavement, raising suspicions that he had been struck while standing outside his vehicle. Investigators soon focused on Ackerman, the soon-to-be ex-husband of McClendon’s girlfriend, Meredith Haynie. After learning about the couple’s relationship, detectives explored whether jealousy played a role in McClendon’s death.

Anne-Marie Green, correspondent for CBS’s “48 Hours,” reported that an oil trail led investigators from the scene of the crash to Ackerman’s residence. Notably, Ackerman’s Ford F-250 pickup, parked in his driveway, was leaking oil, and its front grille bore signs of having been in a recent collision. Detectives found a palm print on the truck’s hood, further raising suspicions.

During the investigation, Haynie told police that she and McClendon had been out on a date the night of the incident. Both had spent time at various locations, including Break on the Lake restaurant and Key West, a popular local club, before McClendon vanished, reportedly near the point of confrontation with Ackerman.

“He was texting and calling me multiple times that night,” Haynie stated in her exclusive interview with Green. “It was his way of showing he wasn’t okay with me being with Davis.”

Detectives discovered critical evidence when they analyzed data from Ackerman’s truck. The vehicle’s infotainment system provided a series of detailed, time-stamped logs documenting Ackerman’s movements. This information indicated that he had tracked past key locations, including where Haynie and McClendon had been earlier that evening.

Lieutenant Matthew Womack of the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office emphasized the power of modern vehicle technology: “In a 24-hour time period, it logs over 3,000 events, including speed, braking, and even phone connections.” This data revealed that Ackerman had been driving approximately 25 miles per hour near the crash site around the time of the incident.

The evidence compiled painted a damning picture: Ackerman had access to the locations where McClendon had been, positioning him as a likely assailant. Moreover, the vehicle logs showed that seconds before impact, Ackerman’s truck had exhibited a “wheel slip,” a maneuver consistent with aggressive driving.

Despite this overwhelming evidence, Ackerman’s defense team contended that hitting McClendon was accidental. Attorney Jack Swerling argued that Ackerman simply wanted to talk to McClendon and had not intended to run him down.

“He did not aim for Davis. He was merely trying to avoid hitting him,” Swerling insisted, claiming that McClendon had moved into the road without being seen until it was too late.

However, prosecutors successfully argued their case in a seven-day trial that concluded last fall. The jury ultimately found Ackerman guilty of McClendon’s murder, leading to a 45-year prison sentence.

This shocking case highlights the intersection of love and jealousy and how miscommunication can lead to dire consequences. CBS’s “48 Hours” will delve deeper into this investigation in an upcoming episode airing on March 1, 2025, at 10 p.m. ET/PT.