Jessica Barnes was last seen on August 1 at her home in Pendleton.
A 21-year-old man from Pendleton, South Carolina, was arrested for the murder of his wife, Jessica Barnes, whose body was discovered in a forested area. Brandon Barnes, the husband, is accused of killing Jessica and then enlisting the help of two roommates, Kendall Mims and Victoria Tippett, to dispose of her body. The crime reportedly took place in August, but Jessica’s disappearance wasn’t reported until September 10. Her body was found in a forest near Twin Lakes on September 20.
According to local police, Jessica was last seen on August 1 at her home in Pendleton, which she shared with her husband and the two roommates. Although her family didn’t immediately report her missing, suspicion grew as Jessica’s mother, Cecilia Varvara, began receiving text messages from her daughter’s phone number. However, Cecilia claimed that the messages didn’t sound like Jessica, raising doubts about who was really sending them.
When Cecilia finally reported Jessica missing in September, the Pendleton Police Department and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) launched a formal investigation. After weeks of searching, Jessica’s body was found by authorities in a wooded area. An autopsy later confirmed that she had died from asphyxiation caused by strangulation.
Brandon Barnes was taken into custody shortly after the discovery of Jessica’s body. During interrogations, it was revealed that Brandon had recruited Mims and Tippett to help him cover up the crime. The roommates were charged with accessory after the fact, obstruction of justice, and failure to report a crime. Police say both women confessed to their involvement during questioning.
Investigators suspect that the murder occurred following a heated argument between Jessica and Brandon. Chief Robert Crosby of the Pendleton Police Department stated that the couple had been experiencing marital issues in the months leading up to Jessica’s death. “There were some typical disputes, arguments, and eventually, she just left,” he explained.
After Jessica’s disappearance, police uncovered several crucial pieces of evidence, including electronic devices and articles of clothing from the home she shared with Brandon and the roommates. Authorities also obtained phone records showing that Brandon had driven one of the roommates’ cars to a location near where Jessica’s body was later found. This led officers to the remains, which were officially identified as Jessica’s by the Pickens County Coroner on October 1.
The case has shocked the small community of Pendleton, where Jessica was well-known. Neighbors and friends of the Barnes family expressed disbelief over the events, saying that while they were aware of the couple’s troubles, no one expected things to escalate this far.
As of now, Brandon Barnes faces a murder charge and is being held in custody. His next court appearance is scheduled for later this month. Mims and Tippett also remain in custody, charged with assisting Brandon after the crime and failing to notify authorities, despite being aware of the murder.
This tragic case continues to be under investigation, with Pendleton Police working closely with SLED to ensure justice is served. Chief Crosby emphasized that while the main suspect is in custody, the authorities are continuing to investigate all angles of the case, ensuring that no detail is overlooked.
In the meantime, Jessica’s family is left grieving their loss and hoping for answers.
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