Three people are facing charges in connection with the murder of a Seminole County man found buried in a shallow grave at a homeless camp on Sunday.

  • Steve Thomas, 50, found dead at a grave in a homeless camp
  • Charles Shannon Rhinehart is accused of second-degree murder
  • Charles Shade Rhinehart and Christine Jordan also arrested

Rhonda Pahlka says Steve Thomas was not just an employee, but also a good friend.

“I’m still in shock,” said Pahlka. “Sometimes I’m laughing and sometimes I’m crying. I shouldn’t even be at work today.”

But Pahlka opened up her Sanford bar up anyway on Monday so she and others could gather to remember Thomas, who worked at the bar. The 50-year-old was found dead Sunday, buried in a shallow grave at a homeless camp not far from Keyes Court, where Thomas’s pickup truck was found abandoned last week.

Pahlka and other people who knew Thomas searched for him for several days after he went missing on July 13. She says when the group searched the homeless camp on Sunday, they made a horrific discovery.

“We saw fresh dirt,” said Pahlka.

Investigators say Charles Shannon Rhinehart beat Thomas to death with a shovel after the two got into a fight in which they say Thomas had cut Rhinehart with a knife. Rhinehart is charged with second-degree murder.

Deputies also arrested Rhinehart’s 18-year-old son, Charles Shade Rhinehart and Christine Jordan. We’re told both also live at the homeless camp and knew what happened to Thomas, but are facing accessory after the fact charges because neither told police when they were questioned about it. 

“He shouldn’t have went out this way,” said Pahlka. “He would never hurt anybody.”

Investigators say Thomas knew all three of the suspects, and friends said he had at one point dated Christina Jordan. Those friends now say Thomas’s kindness may have gotten him into trouble.

“These people that did this, they need to not ever be let out, ever,” said Pahlka.

Charles Shade Rhinehart and Christina Jordan were both granted $2,000 bonds each at their first appearances before a judge on Monday. Charles Shannon Rinehart, who’s facing a second-murder charge, is being held at the Seminole county jail on no bond and expected to face a judge from jail on Tuesday.

On Monday evening, Thomas’ friends put up a message on the sign outside Rockin’ Rhonda’s, the bar where Thomas had worked, to remember him.  They are planning a celebration of Thomas’s life on Wednesday.