A South Carolina man is accused of killing his wife and then participating in the search efforts to find her.
Jessica Barnes, aged 20, disappeared in early August from the residence she shared with her husband, Brandon Barnes, and two housemates, Kendall Mims and Victoria Tippett.
Her mother, Cecilia Varvara, reported her missing on September 10, suspecting that text messages supposedly from Jessica were actually impersonations.
During the search for Jessica, authorities were directed to a location in Pickens County, about six miles from her home.
On September 20, Jessica’s body was discovered in a wooded area of this region.
At the time, Brandon Barnes was not considered a suspect, but he, along with Mims and Tippett, was questioned by the authorities.
“There was some issues with her and her husband. They were having the typical marital disputes, argumentative, and then, she just left,” stated Pendleton Police Chief Robert Crosby.
As reported by Blunt Force Media, Barnes and Tippett were seen distributing missing person posters in the area six days after the human remains were located.
When approached for a message to Jessica, Barnes expressed, “I would tell her how much I love her and I wish I never went to work everyday and ignored her. I ignored her voice, told her she was fine when I knew she wasn’t.
“I was young and stupid. I was always focused on getting more money and more work.”
He also recited a letter from Jessica meant for him on their 10th wedding anniversary.
“We have been through so much in the first year of our life together, and I am so grateful that I met you. I love you so much, baby,” it read.
“Thank you for sticking by my side and letting me in. It’s hard to love me, but we had a son and got married—best choice I ever made, by the way.
“We even went through a stillbirth and came out the other side stronger and more motivated, knowing we can stick together through anything. God put you in my life for a reason, and I will never let you go.
“I plan on writing these letters—ten of them—for the first ten years of our beautiful life together. I could never picture starting a life with anyone else. You are my rock, and I love you so much.”
An autopsy conducted by Anderson County Coroner, Greg Shore, concluded that Jessica died from asphyxiation due to strangulation.
Authorities arrested Barnes along with Mims and Tippett. Barnes has been charged with murder and subsequently confessed to the crime.
Mims and Tippett face charges of accessory to the fact, obstruction of justice, and failing to report a known crime.