Local Resident Ruth Peterson spoke to Fox News Digital about an incident that occurred on Edisto Beach at Coot’s Bar and Grill.
The incident occurred at the bar on October 3rd, 2025, when an alleged altercation occurred between Minnesota resident Joyce Tomlinson and bartender Mary Lopez Hunt. Tomlinson and Peterson were at the bar celebrating birthdays after having come to the island to stay in a rented condo.
The Fox News Report stated, “Peterson had just left to get their car, as her friend, 62-year-old Minnesota resident Joyce Tomlinson, went to settle their tab at Coot’s Bar & Grill on Edisto Island.
Hearing her friend’s voice, Peterson turned at the bottom of the stairs and looked up, she said.
At the top of the stairs, she saw Tomlinson — a woman she described as meek and friendly — exchange words briefly with another woman behind her. She couldn’t hear what was said.
"Next thing I know, Joyce had turned around to head back down [the stairs], and this woman runs at her, and with both hands just pushes her, and she just sailed," Peterson said, stifling tears.
"She didn't fall down the steps. She didn't roll down the steps... She didn't touch the steps."
"She went head first and landed on this concrete slab." Peterson rushed to her friend and couldn’t find a pulse, she said. "Tomlinson began bleeding from her mouth and ears, she said." I knew it was bad."
Hunt told authorities that Tomlinson was belligerent and yelled at bartenders before she was asked to leave, records show. She alleges that Tomlinson fell down the stairs.
Authorities arrived at the bar and found Tomlinson lying on the pavement at the bottom of the stairs, according to a heavily redacted report. Tomlinson was transported by medical helicopter to the trauma center and passed away approximately three weeks later.
Hunt was released on a $ 100,000 bond for each of her charges; however, that bond was revoked, and she was taken back into custody and held at the Colleton County Jail in Walterboro. It was not immediately clear why her bond was revoked.
