Trey Dean Wright murder: What we know about teens arrested after horrifying South Carolina love triangle slaying

The murder of Trey Dean Wright, 16, in South Carolina has led to the arrest of nine teenagers, and a tenth teen is now expected to surrender.

Published on: Aug 18, 2025, 12:31:03 IST

By Sumanti Sen

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A 16-year-old boy’s murder in South Carolina has led to the arrest of nine teenagers, and a tenth teen is now expected to surrender. Trey Dean Wright was found dead on June 24 with multiple gunshot wounds on First Neck Road in Florence County, which is about 45 miles west of Myrtle Beach, Fox News reported. Among the suspects is Wright’s girlfriend.

(L-R) Corrine Belviso, Devan Raper, Gianna Helene Kistenmacher, Hunter Kendall and Sydney Kearns (Florence County Sheriff's Office)

Devan Scott Raper, 19, of Conway, is accused of shooting Wright dead over an argument about a girl. The Florence County Sheriff’s Office arrested him the following day.

What we know about the suspects

Authorities said that Raper did not act alone, and eight more teens were soon arrested or their involvement in the plot to kill Wright. The suspects have been charged for setting up Wright and even recording a video of his death.

Wright’s 17-year-old girlfriend, Giann Kistenmacher, was arrested after his murder, and was charged with being an accessory before the fact for bringing Raper to meet Wright and instigate a confrontation, according to the sheriff’s office. Kistenmacher knew Raper was armed.

Among the others who were charged are 18-year-olds Corrine Belviso and Hunter Kendall, and 17-year-old Sydney Kearns. The four other suspects have not been publicly identified. A tenth suspect is expected to turn themselves in soon, News 13 reported.

Raper has been charged with homicide and possession of a weapon, the New York Post reported.

Florence County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Michael Nunn said that the decision to charge the teenagers in the teens was not taken lightly. “The decision was made, again with investigators, in consultation with the solicitor’s office to charge each of them,” Nunn told News 13. “The hand of one being the hand of all is part of South Carolina law as well, so that’s the basis of the charge for each of those individuals.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sumanti Sen
Sumanti Sen covers everything that’s happening in the US, from politics to entertainment, but her expertise lies in covering crime news. She has comprehensively chronicled the Idaho student murders, the Laken Riley and Iryna Zarutska cases, and the killing of Charlie Kirk, among other incidents. Over the years, she has interviewed several victims/families of victims of crimes seeking justice. She digs up stories that might otherwise remain unheard, and does her bit to ensure that victims and survivors’ voices are heard. Sumanti’s many years of experience also include interviews with Hamas attack survivors and mental health experts, among others. Her coverage of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and interviews with survivors of the tragedy, coupled with her other works including the Titan submersible coverage, earned her the Digi Journo of the Quarter award during her first year at Hindustan Times. Sumanti actively tracks missing person cases in the United States, and peruses Reddit and other social media platforms to bring to light cases that frequently elude public attention. She has extensively covered the disappearances of Nancy Guthrie, Thomas Medlin, Beau Mann, and Sudiksha Konanki, among others. When not at work, you will either find her with her novels, or with her beloved rescue pooches.Read More

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