URGENT UPDATE: A devastating fire has destroyed the home of South Carolina Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein on Sunday, October 8, 2023, in Edisto Island, SC. Three individuals, including her husband, former state Senator Arnold Goodstein, and their son, Arnold Goodstein III, have been hospitalized following dramatic attempts to escape the blaze.
According to officials, Judge Goodstein was walking her dogs on the beach approximately an hour south of Charleston when the fire erupted. In an urgent rescue effort, the family members were forced to leap from the elevated first floor of their home, amid thick smoke and flames. Colleton County Fire-Rescue reported that rescuers used kayaks to reach the occupants stranded in the marshy terrain of the backyard.
One victim was airlifted to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, while the other two were transported there via ground ambulance. The current conditions of the injured remain unknown as authorities continue to investigate the incident.
The South Carolina Supreme Court has confirmed that the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is actively investigating the cause of the fire. In a statement, officials noted, “Local law enforcement partners have been alerted and asked to provide extra patrols and security. The Judicial Branch will remain in close communication with SLED.”
This shocking incident comes shortly after Judge Goodstein made headlines for blocking the South Carolina Election Commission from sharing sensitive voter information with the Department of Justice. The request was part of an executive order issued by President Trump, aimed at preventing non-citizens from registering to vote. Goodstein’s ruling was later overturned by the State Supreme Court, according to court documents.
Judge Goodstein has served on the Circuit Court bench since her election in 1998, making significant contributions to the legal community throughout her tenure. The community now rallies in support as she and her family face this unexpected tragedy.
As details continue to unfold, residents and officials alike are left to ponder the implications of this incident, both personally for the Goodstein family and for the broader judicial environment in South Carolina. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
