Deputies looking for answers in 2012 cold case

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Charleston County deputies are hoping for a breakthrough in the case of a woman who disappeared over a decade ago.

Marjorie “Gayle” McCaffrey, 36, went missing on March 17, 2012.

Her husband, Robert McCaffrey, said he drove to the Upstate after arguing with Gayle at their home on Limestone Boulevard. He reported her missing the next day and claimed he got back and found a “farewell” letter.

However, the sheriff’s office says the letter was fake, and Robert was charged with obstructing justice. He was convicted on that charge in 2019 and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Gayle has remained missing ever since. Detectives are investigating this case as a homicide.

At one point, Robert was accused of killing Gayle, but a grand jury declined to indict him for murder in 2018. According to court documents, the jury did not find enough evidence.

McCaffrey’s attorney told a jury during the 2019 obstructing of justice hearing, McCaffrey was not the best husband but having an affair does not make him guilty of another crime. Investigators say they believed that Gayle had booked a romantic getaway just two days before her disappearance.

They believe she was trying to reconcile their marriage. Robert and Gayle had two children together.

Anybody with information can contact Crime Stoppers at 843-554-1111 or Detective Barry Goldstein at 843-554-2241.

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