Wife charged with murder after Green Beret's remains are discovered

In North Carolina, authorities arrested Shana Cloud in connection with the disappearance and murder of her husband, Clinton Bonnell, a retired Green Beret. Bonnell, who was 50 years old, had been reported missing on January 28, 2023, after a Methodist University employee requested a wellness check at their Fayetteville home. His remains were discovered in a body of water southeast of Fayetteville following a tip-off to law enforcement regarding human remains, leading to an investigation that confirmed the identity through DNA testing. The search and investigations revealed that Bonnell had not attended classes at the university where he was pursuing a physician assistant program. After Bonnell was reported missing, authorities executed several search warrants in his residence and Cloud's vehicle, collecting crucial evidence that would later implicate Shana Cloud. The investigation revealed that Bonnell had expressed intentions of divorce to Cloud shortly before his disappearance. Information provided by his girlfriend indicated that he had spoken with a lawyer about the divorce and had communicated with her shortly before he vanished. Cloud reportedly claimed she last saw Bonnell at a gym and did not file a missing persons report. The investigation progressed as digital evidence, such as cellphone records and video footage, linked Cloud to the timeline of events surrounding the day Bonnell disappeared. This data was crucial in building a case against her. On March 28, 2023, after a thorough examination of the remains and matching them to Bonnell's DNA, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office arrested Cloud. She faced charges of first-degree murder and concealment of death, appearing in court where she was denied bond. Her attorney asserted her innocence, suggesting that the legal proceedings would clear her name. This tragic case not only highlights the circumstances surrounding the murder of a veteran but also raises significant questions about domestic violence and the potential consequences of unresolved marital conflicts. The community has expressed their condolences to the Bonnell family and emphasized the need for privacy during the ongoing investigation and legal process. As the case unfolds, it is a stark reminder of the severe implications that relationships can have when intertwined with unresolved issues such as divorce and personal conflicts.