At approximately 3:55 P.M. today, UCSO deputies were called to a home in the 2500 block of Providence Hills Rd. after receiving a report of a serious assault that had just occurred. Deputies arrived at the home a short time later along with Union EMS and began rendering medical aid to 71-year-old Gary Vanderschel who eventually succumbed to his injuries at the scene. UCSO detectives and crime scene personnel responded to the home as part of the developing homicide investigation.

The victim’s son, 25-year-old Dylan Vanderschel, was quickly identified as the suspect in this homicide and was located and taken into custody in Indian Land, SC less than an hour after the initial 911 call was recieved. Vanderschel was transported to the Lancaster County, SC Detention Center subsequent to his arrest where he remains in custody awaiting extradition. This incident is being considered an isolated event and there are no other known threats to our community at this time.

This is an ongoing investigation and the circumstances that led to the assault/homicide are still being determined. The UCSO asks that anyone with information pertaining to this case call our Main Office at (704)283-3789 or Union County Crime Stoppers at (704)283-5600.

Tips can also be submitted through the UCSO’s free smartphone application which can be downloaded through the links below.

Sheriff’s App Download Links
- Android Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ocvapps.a845
- Apple/iOS Link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/union-county-sheriff-nc/id1660816160

UCSO Point of Contact for this Press Release is Lt. James Maye at (704)506-6843