A birthday trip for lifelong friends ended in tragedy after Joyce Tomlinson was critically injured outside Coot’s Bar & Grill on Edisto Island, South Carolina. Authorities charged bartender Mary Lopez Hunt with voluntary manslaughter and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. Tomlinson, 62, died more than three weeks after the Oct. 3, 2025, incident. Her friend, Ruth Peterson, said Tomlinson was pushed headfirst onto concrete.
The case is based on allegations, and court records contain differing accounts. Hunt told authorities that Tomlinson had been belligerent and fell down the stairs after being asked to leave. Peterson said she saw another woman approach and push Tomlinson as she turned toward the stairs.
| 1) | The incident outside the Edisto Island bar |
| 2) | The competing accounts of the confrontation |
| 3) | A long-awaited birthday celebration |
| 4) | Tomlinson’s life and the family’s loss |
| 5) | Charges, bond and the case status |
The incident outside the Edisto Island bar
Joyce Tomlinson, a Minnesota resident, was at Coot’s Bar & Grill at about 11 p.m. on Oct. 3, 2025. She was visiting childhood friend Ruth Peterson during a South Carolina trip. Peterson said she left briefly to retrieve their car while Tomlinson stayed behind to settle their bill.
A heavily redacted incident report states that authorities found Tomlinson on the pavement at the bottom of the exterior stairs. She was flown to a hospital and died a little more than three weeks later. Available records do not provide a complete account of her treatment or the precise cause of death.
The competing accounts of the confrontation
Peterson said she heard Tomlinson’s voice and saw her exchange words with a woman near the stairs. Peterson said the woman moved toward Tomlinson with both hands and pushed her as Tomlinson turned to descend.
“She went head first and landed on this concrete slab,” Peterson recalled.
Peterson said Tomlinson did not roll down the steps before landing on the concrete. She described Tomlinson as unconscious and bleeding from her mouth and ears. Hunt reportedly told authorities that Tomlinson yelled at bartenders, was belligerent and fell after being asked to leave. The allegations remain unresolved in court.
A long-awaited birthday celebration
Tomlinson and Peterson had been friends for about 50 years. They grew up in Minnesota, roller-skated together and later raised families whose children also became close. They had discussed celebrating their 60th birthdays together for years.
The plan came together in October 2025, when Tomlinson visited Peterson. After checking into a rented condo in Edisto Beach, they followed an employee’s recommendation to visit Coot’s Bar & Grill. Peterson said each woman had two drinks and danced to music from a solo performer. As the venue became more crowded, they decided to leave, with Tomlinson staying behind to pay the tab.
Tomlinson’s life and the family’s loss
Ruth Peterson described Joyce Tomlinson as small, meek and friendly. Tomlinson worked as a legal aide helping people resolve financial issues. She was not married and is survived by a son.
At Tomlinson’s funeral, relatives and friends remembered her as a loving mother and trustworthy friend. Peterson said the circumstances were especially difficult because the trip had been intended as a joyful reunion.
Charges, bond and the status of the case
Mary Lopez Hunt faces voluntary manslaughter and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature charges in Colleton County. The charges relate to the alleged push outside the bar on Edisto Island. The allegations remain subject to criminal proceedings.
Hunt was initially released on $100,000 bond for each charge. Her bond was later revoked, and she was taken back into custody at the Colleton County Jail in Walterboro, South Carolina. The reason for the revocation was not immediately clear. No response was available from Hunt’s attorney, and the bar’s position was not publicly provided in the available account.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Joyce Tomlinson was injured outside Coot’s Bar & Grill on Oct. 3, 2025, and died more than three weeks later. |
| 2 | Mary Lopez Hunt faces voluntary manslaughter and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature charges. |
| 3 | Ruth Peterson described a push, while Hunt reportedly described a fall. |
| 4 | The women planned the South Carolina trip as a long-awaited birthday celebration. |
Summary
Joyce Tomlinson died after a confrontation outside an Edisto Island bar during a birthday trip with her longtime friend. Authorities charged Mary Lopez Hunt, but the central facts remain disputed between Peterson’s account and Hunt’s reported statement. The case will be determined through the court process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was charged in the case?
Mary Lopez Hunt was charged with voluntary manslaughter and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.
When and where did the incident occur?
The incident occurred at about 11 p.m. on Oct. 3, 2025, outside Coot’s Bar & Grill on Edisto Island in South Carolina.
What happened to Joyce Tomlinson?
Joyce Tomlinson suffered critical injuries after landing on pavement outside the bar. She was flown to a hospital and died more than three weeks later.
What happened to the defendant’s bond?
Mary Lopez Hunt was initially released on $100,000 bond for each charge. The bond was later revoked, and she was returned to the Colleton County Jail.
