Retired Green Beret’s Wife Arrested in Connection with Husband’s Murder in North Carolina
Authorities in North Carolina have made an arrest in connection with the disappearance and murder of a retired Green Beret. Shana Cloud, the wife of Clinton Bonnell, has been charged with first-degree murder and concealment of death. The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office discovered Bonnell’s body in a body of water in Fayetteville after receiving a tip about human remains. Bonnell had been missing since January 28 and was last seen by an employee at Methodist University, where he was attending the physician assistant program.
Cloud’s Story Raises Suspicion
When deputies arrived at the couple’s residence, Cloud claimed she hadn’t seen her husband since the day before. However, his vehicle, school book bag, and other personal items were found at the house. Later that evening, a friend of Bonnell’s contacted authorities to request another wellness check, prompting an official missing persons investigation.
Extensive Investigation and Arrest
The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Bonnell’s residence on January 30 and subsequently traveled to Virginia to search Cloud’s vehicle, rental property, and phone, with the assistance of the Virginia State Police. In February, multiple search warrants were executed for cellphone records, video footage, and other digital data, which were crucial in establishing a timeline of events leading up to Bonnell’s disappearance.
Positive Identification of Remains
On March 28, the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System confirmed through DNA testing that the remains found in Fayetteville belonged to Bonnell. Following this confirmation, the sheriff’s office arrested Cloud without incident at her residence. She is scheduled to make her first court appearance on Monday.
Community Support and Grief
The news of Bonnell’s murder has deeply affected the Methodist University community, where he was a student. The university’s president, Stanley T. Wearden, expressed his condolences to Bonnell’s family and friends, as well as the Special Forces community. He urged the community to be respectful of their privacy and mindful of the comments made on social media during this difficult time.
Bonnell’s Service and GoFundMe Campaign
Clinton Bonnell served in the Army for over 20 years and worked as a Green Beret medic. A GoFundMe campaign was created to support the search efforts when he was still considered missing. Now, the funds raised will likely go towards helping his family deal with the aftermath of this tragic event.
