Judge Diane Goodstein’s Home Destroyed in Fire — Husband Rescued After Dramatic Escape
It was a peaceful Saturday morning on Edisto Beach — the kind where waves whisper against the shore and neighbors greet one another from their porches. But that calm vanished in an instant. Just before noon, thick black smoke began rising over the marshfront, and within minutes, flames engulfed the home of South Carolina Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein and her husband, former state senator Arnold Goodstein. What started as an ordinary day turned into a terrifying scene that left the tight-knit coastal community in shock and investigators scrambling for answers.
According to early reports, the fire erupted around 11:30 a.m. on October 4, 2025, at the Goodsteins’ three-story residence in the Jeremy Cay neighborhood. Judge Goodstein had been out walking her dogs when disaster struck — while her husband was still inside. Witnesses recalled seeing heavy smoke followed by what sounded like an explosion. As the flames spread, Arnold was forced to leap from the back of the burning home into the nearby marsh. Neighbors and first responders rushed to pull him to safety. Two other individuals were also rescued, with several people hospitalized — one airlifted to the Medical University of South Carolina for emergency treatment.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has taken over the investigation. So far, the cause of the fire remains undetermined, but officials, including Chief Justice John Kittredge, confirmed that arson has not been ruled out. Law enforcement has also increased patrols around the judge’s property as a precaution. The blaze comes only weeks after Judge Goodstein presided over a high-profile voter privacy case, fueling speculation that the incident might be linked to her judicial role.
Judge Goodstein, elected to the Circuit Court bench in 1998, is known for her integrity and decades of service to South Carolina’s legal system. Her husband, Arnold, a respected former lawmaker and military veteran, has long shared her commitment to public service. Together, the Goodsteins have built a life anchored in community and faith — one now tested by tragedy.
As the investigation continues, friends, neighbors, and colleagues across the state have rallied in support, hoping the couple finds strength and clarity after a fire that has not only destroyed their home but deeply shaken their entire community.