Following weeks of uncertainty after his wife mysteriously disappeared, a man from South Carolina has been arrested for her murder. It is alleged that Brandon Barnes, 21, was involved in the killing of his wife, 20-year-old Jessica Barnes, with the assistance of their roommates.
Jessica Barnes was reported missing on September 10 by her mother. Tragically, her body was discovered miles away from her home in a wooded area near Twin Lakes of Pickens County on September 20. The Pickens County Coroner’s Office determined that she had died from asphyxiation by strangulation.
Two of the roommates, Kendall Mims and Victoria Tippett, have also been charged for their role in the incident. They are facing charges of being an accessory after the fact, obstruction of justice, and misprision of a felony.
Prior to being named a suspect by the police, Brandon Barnes spoke with an independent news outlet, Fits News, where he claimed that he last saw his wife on August 1. He expressed regret for not reporting her missing sooner, believing that she would eventually return.
Pendleton Police Department
During a press conference, Pendleton Police Chief Robert Crosby revealed that Jessica Barnes was last seen by her roommates on August 2. Her mother became worried when Jessica did not contact her on her birthday later that month, prompting the missing person report.
Jessica’s mother, Cecilia Varvara, mentioned receiving suspicious text messages from her daughter’s phone before her disappearance. The messages indicated that Jessica had moved to Michigan with her friends, but her family believes they were actually sent by Brandon Barnes.
In a statement, Jessica’s family addressed the issue of domestic violence and expressed hope that her story would encourage other victims to seek help and break free from abusive situations.
If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
