Bond Denied for Laurens County Man Accused of Killing Teenaged Ex-Girlfriend

A judge has denied bond for Malachi Pressley, accused of killing his 18-year-old ex-girlfriend in 2024. The victim’s mother spoke out during the Laurens County hearing.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 17, 2026, 7:09 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from FOX Carolina (WHNS).

The 2024 Murder and Alleged Cover-Up

The case against Malachi Pressley began in 2024 after MyAngel Walker was reported missing in Clinton, South Carolina. Following an intensive investigation by the Clinton Police Department, Walker’s body was eventually discovered inside a car near McKenzie Road in Greenwood County. Investigators allege that Pressley shot and killed the teen, who was his ex-girlfriend, and subsequently attempted to conceal the crime. A second suspect remains charged in connection with assisting Pressley in hiding the victim’s body.

Emotional Testimony from the Victim’s Mother

During Tuesday’s bond hearing, Walker’s mother, Sade Woodruff, faced her daughter’s accused killer in court for the first time. Speaking to reporters after the judge's decision, Woodruff described MyAngel as a dedicated student who had recently graduated high school with aspirations of becoming a nurse. "She wanted to be a nurse because her grandfather had multiple medical issues and she wanted to be able to take care of her grandfather," Woodruff shared. She also noted the severe emotional toll the murder has taken on the victim's younger siblings, who continue to struggle with the loss.

Legal Proceedings and Bond Denial

The presiding judge denied Pressley's request for bond, citing the severity of the charges and the nature of the alleged cover-up. Pressley remains in custody at the Laurens County Detention Center. Legal representatives for both the prosecution and the defense indicated that the discovery phase of the investigation is largely complete. If the current schedule holds, the murder trial could begin as early as the third quarter of 2026.