Authorities in South Carolina have recovered the remains of Jessica Barnes, who went missing in August, and arrested three individuals: her husband and two roommates.
Jessica, 20, was last seen on August 1 at her home in Pendleton, S.C., according to a September statement from the Pendleton Police Department.
During the investigation, authorities found unidentified remains in nearby Pickens County, which were confirmed by a coroner on October 1 to belong to Jessica.
Following this discovery, Pendleton police, in conjunction with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), interviewed Jessica’s husband, Brandon Barnes, along with their two roommates, Kendall Mims and Victoria Tippett.
As a result of these interviews, all three were charged with multiple offenses, including m*rder charges against Brandon, according to police.
The arrest affidavit for Brandon alleges that he strangled Jessica to death on August 2 at their home and claims he admitted to the crime. Mims and Tippett face charges as accessories after the fact, as well as obstruction of justice and misprision of a felony, with authorities alleging they helped Brandon dispose of Jessica’s body. Both women reportedly confessed to their involvement.
Tippett is also accused of failing to report the crime despite allegedly witnessing the murder and having multiple opportunities to notify authorities. Similarly, Mims is accused of not reporting the crime after being informed about the killing.
Jessica’s mother, Cecilia Varvara, reported her missing in September. Varvara noted that she received text messages from an account under Jessica’s name after her disappearance but did not believe they were from her daughter.
On September 20, police conducted a search of the residence shared by Brandon, Jessica, Mims, and Tippett, seizing clothing, electronic devices, and other potential evidence.
The investigation also led authorities to the roommate’s car at a location frequently visited by Jessica and Brandon, with phone records indicating that Brandon drove the vehicle to that spot.
The investigation is ongoing.