A $1.5 million home belonging to South Carolina Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein exploded Saturday morning at her beachfront property in Edisto Beach, with local law enforcement investigating whether the blast resulted from an accident or arson. The incident occurred weeks after Judge Goodstein issued a ruling blocking the state from sharing voter registration data with the federal government.
Judge Goodstein was walking on the beach when the fire began, while her husband, Arnie Goodstein, and other family members were inside the home. Arnie sustained serious injuries, including multiple broken bones, and was airlifted to a hospital. The condition of her son, Arnold Goodstein II, remains undisclosed. Multiple family members were hospitalized, and authorities are examining the cause of the explosion and subsequent fire, which started around 11:30 AM.
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is leading the investigation. Chief Justice John Kittredge confirmed additional patrols and security measures for the judge and her family. While some have speculated a connection to Judge Goodstein’s recent legal actions, law enforcement has emphasized the cause remains under scrutiny. Arnie Goodstein, a former state senator and builder, previously discharged $61 million in debt through bankruptcy in 2011, leaving creditors and vendors affected.
