Deputies find body of missing well-known radio DJ, podcaster in Mount Pleasant

CHARLESTON COUNTY, SC (WCSC) - The Charleston County Coroner's Office identified the body found in a vehicle early Friday morning in Mount Pleasant as that of a missing Lowcountry radio host and podcaster.

The body of Richard Bachschmidt, 43, was located at approximately 3 a.m., according to Charleston County Deputy Coroner Brittney Martin.

The cause of death is pending, Martin said.

Deputies found him in a car parked in a wooded area off Belle Hall Parkway, Charleston County Sheriff's Capt. Roger Antonio said.

Deputies were in the area investigating a missing person report on Bachschmidt at the time, Antonio said. Deputies said there were no apparent signs of foul play at the scene.

Bachschmidt was a former radio host of "Box in the Morning" and had been nicknamed "Charleston's Morning Mayor," according to family spokesperson Jessica Munday.

He had last been seen on Tuesday and his roommate filed a missing person report with the Charleston County Sheriff's Office after he uncharacteristically missed several work meetings Wednesday and was not responding to phone calls or texts, according to an incident report.

His sister, Dawn Bachschmidt Hoskins, released a statement Friday morning on his passing:

Our family is in shock and completely devastated. Richard was a such an incredible man with an infectious personality and a heart of gold. He will be missed terribly. The outpouring of love, prayers and support from the Charleston community is holding up our family and for that, we are forever grateful.

The "Box Jam" event, which is scheduled for Friday night from 8:30 p.m. to midnight at the Tin Roof, at 1117 Magnolia Road, will go on, Munday said.

A celebration of life event is currently being planned for Sunday at Tradesman Brewing on King Street in Charleston.

Details will be posted on the Box in the Morning Facebook page, she said.

Bachschmidt's colleagues at 1055 The Bridge and LM Communications are in mourning as well. Station Operations Manager and Program Director Ken Carson released a statement that read in part:

Richard was our brother and friend and our prayers are with his extended family throughout the Low Country. Box recently left his morning show at WCOO to pursue an Internet morning show based out of Charleston, SC. Richard joined the LM Communications family in August of 2012 and left in February of 2018.

LM Communications (1055 The Bridge and 98Rock) are currently working with musicians, promoters and friends throughout Charleston to organize a benefit to bring awareness to mental health and suicide prevention. Both on and off the air Richard openly discussed his own battles with depression. His candor empowered others to overcome the stigmas of this illness and ask for help. Rest in peace brother, we will honor your memory by helping others.

Antonio said the investigation is still active.

Bachschmidt left a big impact on people in the Charleston community.

Owner of HolyCitySinner.com, Christian Senger, was his good friend and appeared on his show to talk about Charleston events.

"He was just full of life, he always seemed so happy and excited to be out and about doing things in Charleston," Senger said.

Senger says he was always willing to help and would support people behind the scenes. He also says Bachschmidt was open about his personal struggles with depression.

"After the passing of Anthony Bordain a few weeks ago he spent the next show that he had talking about his own struggles with it. So he was sharing it with his listeners as well. He wasn't afraid to talk about it," Senger said.

Bachschmidt had an event scheduled for Friday, June 29 called the "Box Jam" where he was planning to support local artists.

The event has turned into a celebration of life event at the Tin Roof in Charleston from 8:30 p.m. to midnight.

Proceeds will go to his family for funeral costs.

"It hasn't 100 percent sunk in. When someone passes away at a young age and kind of unexpectedly, it also takes a while to really hit home in the process," Senger said.

The former operations manager for Charleston's 98 Rock and 105.5 The Bridge, Matthew Potter, says he hired Bachschmidt.

Potter was also an on-air personality.

"Richard only wanted to make people happy and he expressed that really through the things that he did on radio and on podcasts. He put everybody ahead of himself for sure," Potter said.

Potter say he immediately liked Bachschmidt and wanted him to be a part of the team.

He said after a couple of days they became best friends.

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