The bodies of a former Bloomberg LP executive, his spouse, and their young daughter were discovered in their South Carolina residence on Friday, March 28, 2025. Authorities have shared limited details about the situation.
According to the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), law enforcement in Greer, South Carolina, located northeast of Greenville, found Richard Samarel, 54, his wife Lina Maria Samarel, 45, and their nine-year-old daughter Samantha. The discovery followed a tip from a concerned neighbor.
The sheriff’s office noted that more information would be released as the Coroner’s Office and the department continue their separate investigations into the incident.
The SCSO has not confirmed if foul play is suspected but mentioned there seems to be no ongoing “threat to the public,” suggesting the incident may have been confined to the household.
Property records show the family lived in a six-bedroom house valued at nearly $800,000. Originally from New Jersey, the Samarels moved to this upscale South Carolina community, where neighbors described them as “generally nice people” and viewed the area as “middle-class.”
The sheriff’s department stated that “other residents” of the home “were in school when the incident occurred,” referring to the couple’s other children. Reports mention that the Samarels had three children in total, with two absent from the home at the time of the deaths.
Authorities have shared few additional details about the deaths, including whether they were the result of homicide or an accident.
Social media profiles indicate that Richard and Lina Maria Samarel have been married since 2009. Richard was an equities manager at Bloomberg LP until 2007. His expertise lay in financial markets, though his career details after leaving Bloomberg are unclear.
Lina Maria Samarel, originally from Colombia, worked as a psychiatric-mental health and family nurse practitioner. Colleagues remembered her as a “beacon of light” professionally, providing mental health services to patients.
Their daughter, Samantha, attended third grade in the Dorman School District. Her obituary noted her “kind spirit and loving nature,” which endeared her to those around her.
The Samarel residence has become the focal point of the investigation, with forensic teams examining the property for clues. Law enforcement is methodically processing the scene and has not disclosed whether any weapons were found or if evidence suggested outside involvement.
The timing of the deaths remains unclear from public statements, as does whether the bodies were found immediately or if there was a delay before the neighbor contacted authorities.
The case has attracted significant attention partly due to Richard Samarel’s prior association with Bloomberg LP, the financial information and media company founded by Michael Bloomberg, who served as New York City’s mayor from 2002 to 2013.
Local schools have reportedly provided counselors for students and staff affected by the situation, particularly those familiar with Samantha or her siblings. The surviving Samarel children are reportedly in the care of extended relatives. Officials have not commented on their welfare or current situation.
Reports suggest that authorities are considering several possibilities regarding the cause of death, including potential murder-suicide scenarios or accidental causes, though none have been officially confirmed.
Authorities have requested that anyone with information pertinent to the case come forward. The sheriff’s office has set up a dedicated tip line and emphasized that further details will only be publicized when appropriate.
