NC CLINTON "CLINT" BONNELL: Missing from Fayetteville, NC - 27 Jan 2025 - Age 50 *Found Deceased**ARREST*

Family concerned for missing North Carolina man, Clinton Bonnell

The retired Green Beret was last seen on January 27, 2025, in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

www.nbcnews.com

January disappearance of North Carolina veteran Clinton Bonnell alarms loved ones​

“My brother is a Green Beret and perfectly capable of taking care of himself,” Stefanie Firkins told Dateline. “There’s very suspicious circumstances surrounding his disappearance.”

Stefanie’s brother, Clinton Bonnell, has been missing for nearly a month. The 50-year-old was last seen on January 27, 2025, in Fayetteville, North Carolina.


Stefanie says she last spoke to her brother when he came to Texas in December for a visit. “He was in good spirits. He seemed great. He seemed good,” she recalled.

On January 29, less than a month into the new year, something happened that immediately caused alarm. “I got a Facebook message from his wife asking if I had spoken to my brother and then telling me that he had not shown up for class two days in a row and that the sheriff had been out to her house four times,” Stefanie recalled.

Stefanie says she learned that Clint’s school had called the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and asked them to conduct a welfare check on him. “They were taking exams and labs and it was so out of character for Clint to not be in class,” she said. According to Stefanie, it’s out of character for her brother to be a no-show for anything. “He was in the military for 20 years. He would’ve been kicked out of the military for just disappearing," she said.


MEDIA - CLINTON "CLINT" BONNELL: Missing from Fayetteville, NC - 27 Jan 2025 - Age 50

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

https://www.cbs17.com/news/local-news/cumberland-county-news/missing-cumberland-county-green-beret-clint-bonnell-planned-to-divorce-his-wife-before-disappearance/

Missing Cumberland County Green Beret Clint Bonnell planned to divorce his wife before disappearance​

This week marks two months since the disappearance of recently retired Green Beret Clinton “Clint” Bonnell in Cumberland County.

CBS 17 obtained newly released search warrants revealing Fit 4 Life on Owen Drive in Fayetteville was the last place Bonnell’s wife saw him on Jan. 27. She told Cumberland County investigators they left in sperate cars and he was going to Methodist University to study for a test.

Bonnell’s girlfriend, who works nearby the gym, told deputies he went to an attorney that day to discuss filing for a divorce. He then visited her workplace to discuss the conversation he had with the attorney before going to Methodist University to study. In court papers, she said Bonnell texted her that night after he returned home. According to her, he said he told his wife about the divorce and he was going to bed.

On Jan. 28th, after he missed classes and could not reached, both Methodist University and his girlfriend requested wellbeing checks on Bonnell.

Deputies went to Bonnell’s home on Jan. 29th. They found his car, wallet, and keys at his Butler Nursey Road home that he shares with his wife, but did not find his cellphone.

Deputies said his wife declined to file a missing person report at that time. An incident reporter listing Bonnell as missing was completed by his girlfriend.

According to cell phone records, Bonnell’s phone showed continuous location at his residence until Jan. 28 at 8:15 a.m. The data for the mobile device stopped at that point and started again on Jan. 30th. Court records suggested the unavailability of the mobile device’s location is likely due to the phone being powered down or loss of battery life.

On Jan. 31st, Cumberland County investigators returned to Bonnell’s home and found his bookbag and laptop. Both had projectile damage, suggesting Bonnell might have been harmed.

Cumberland County investigators met with Virginia State Police on Feb. 1 to execute a search warrant on Bonnell’s wife and her pickup truck in Troy, Va. Deputies seized her cellphone. The search warrant affidavit said she admitted at this point she had a confrontation with Bonnell over a note from his girlfriend.

Several weeks later, a Cumberland County man discovered a body with no legs or arms in a pond behind his home, just three miles from Bonnell’s home. According to Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, those remains have not been identified.

The next day deputies searched Bonnell’s nearly 15 acres of property again and seized several items, including a pistol.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

https://myfox8.com/news/public-safety/missing/body-found-in-pond-being-dna-tested-for-match-with-missing-north-carolina-green-beret/?nxsparam=6

Body found in pond being DNA tested for match with missing North Carolina Green Beret​

It’s been nearly two weeks since a body was found in Cumberland County and authorities searched the area in the case of a missing retired Green Beret.

Clinton “Clint” Bonnell, a former Special Forces soldier, retired from the U.S. Army in December 2024. The 50-year-old was last seen on the evening of January 27 on Butler Nursery Road — near where a body was later discovered.

The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office said they searched the area of Butler Nursery Road and Gainey Road, which is where the body was found in a pond on February 25 — nearly a month after Bonnell was last seen.

Bonnell’s relatives, who are now offering a $25,000 reward, now say that DNA testing is underway to determine the identity of the recently found body — and if it matches that of Bonnell.

The discovery of the body was in a pond behind a home along Gainey Road, deputies said. Deputies responded to a 911 call about the body just after 2:30 p.m. that Tuesday.

The next morning, deputies executed a search warrant in the case of Bonnell, who was reported missing on Jan. 30.

During the overnight search, crews put up crime scene tape around a home and the Fayetteville Police Department supplied a dive team. The location of the home was just over 3 miles from Bonnell’s home on Butler Nursery Road.


“DNA testing is pending to confirm if the recently discovered body is Clint,” Firkins also said Friday. “The family will fight for justice until satisfied with the answers.”

Firkins said family members are frustrated.

“His car is in the driveway, his keys (and) watch are inside the house,” Firkins said. “I believe somebody out there knows something.”

 

[Guess Who]

https://www.cbs17.com/news/local-news/cumberland-county-news/missing-cumberland-county-green-beret-clint-bonnell-planned-to-divorce-his-wife-before-disappearance/

Missing Cumberland County Green Beret Clint Bonnell planned to divorce his wife before disappearance​

This week marks two months since the disappearance of recently retired Green Beret Clinton “Clint” Bonnell in Cumberland County.

CBS 17 obtained newly released search warrants revealing Fit 4 Life on Owen Drive in Fayetteville was the last place Bonnell’s wife saw him on Jan. 27. She told Cumberland County investigators they left in sperate cars and he was going to Methodist University to study for a test.

Bonnell’s girlfriend, who works nearby the gym, told deputies he went to an attorney that day to discuss filing for a divorce. He then visited her workplace to discuss the conversation he had with the attorney before going to Methodist University to study. In court papers, she said Bonnell texted her that night after he returned home. According to her, he said he told his wife about the divorce and he was going to bed.

On Jan. 28th, after he missed classes and could not reached, both Methodist University and his girlfriend requested wellbeing checks on Bonnell.

Deputies went to Bonnell’s home on Jan. 29th. They found his car, wallet, and keys at his Butler Nursey Road home that he shares with his wife, but did not find his cellphone.

Deputies said his wife declined to file a missing person report at that time. An incident reporter listing Bonnell as missing was completed by his girlfriend.

According to cell phone records, Bonnell’s phone showed continuous location at his residence until Jan. 28 at 8:15 a.m. The data for the mobile device stopped at that point and started again on Jan. 30th. Court records suggested the unavailability of the mobile device’s location is likely due to the phone being powered down or loss of battery life.

On Jan. 31st, Cumberland County investigators returned to Bonnell’s home and found his bookbag and laptop. Both had projectile damage, suggesting Bonnell might have been harmed.

Cumberland County investigators met with Virginia State Police on Feb. 1 to execute a search warrant on Bonnell’s wife and her pickup truck in Troy, Va. Deputies seized her cellphone. The search warrant affidavit said she admitted at this point she had a confrontation with Bonnell over a note from his girlfriend.

Several weeks later, a Cumberland County man discovered a body with no legs or arms in a pond behind his home, just three miles from Bonnell’s home. According to Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, those remains have not been identified.

The next day deputies searched Bonnell’s nearly 15 acres of property again and seized several items, including a pistol.

On Jan. 31st, Cumberland County investigators returned to Bonnell’s home and found his bookbag and laptop. Both had projectile damage, suggesting Bonnell might have been harmed.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

So his wife found out about his girlfriend and that he wanted a divorce. And then he disappears. Some of his belongings with "projectile damage". And a body (still not identified) found in a nearby lake with no arms or legs.

If this was a woman that disappeared people would be all over it. The husband would basically be guilty in the mind of the public and probably arrested. It's been two months!

So what about her? "IF" she did this, did she do it alone?!?

 

[Guess Who]

So his wife found out about his girlfriend and that he wanted a divorce. And then he disappears. Some of his belongings with "projectile damage". And a body (still not identified) found in a nearby lake with no arms or legs.

If this was a woman that disappeared people would be all over it. The husband would basically be guilty in the mind of the public and probably arrested. It's been two months!

So what about her? "IF" she did this, did she do it alone?!?

Plus, he was GREEN BERET! Seems like that would have made it even more of a story, by itself.

 

[Kimster]

So his wife found out about his girlfriend and that he wanted a divorce. And then he disappears. Some of his belongings with "projectile damage". And a body (still not identified) found in a nearby lake with no arms or legs.

If this was a woman that disappeared people would be all over it. The husband would basically be guilty in the mind of the public and probably arrested. It's been two months!

So what about her? "IF" she did this, did she do it alone?!?

I've oftentimes found that when it's a woman who is the perp, the case doesn't get newsworthy until the trial.

 

[Tresir]

I've oftentimes found that when it's a woman who is the perp, the case doesn't get newsworthy until the trial.

Could the "projectile damage" to the laptop be from a bullet?

Also, the girlfriend got a text from him after he had got home but wife said she last saw him at Fit 4 Life. Hmmmm.

"Fit 4 Life on Owen Drive in Fayetteville was the last place Bonnell’s wife saw him on Jan. 27. She told Cumberland County investigators they left in separate cars and he was going to Methodist University to study for a test.

Bonnell’s girlfriend, who works nearby the gym, told deputies he went to an attorney that day to discuss filing for a divorce. He then visited her workplace to discuss the conversation he had with the attorney before going to Methodist University to study. In court papers, she said Bonnell texted her that night after he returned home. According to her, he said he told his wife about the divorce and he was going to bed."

I think once they id the body, the wife will have some questions to answer.

 

[Tresir]

This article from earlier this month has pics of the pond and property where the body was found. The pond is on Gainey Road, which leads off Butler Nursery Road.

https://www.cbs17.com/news/local-news/cumberland-county-news/dna-testing-on-body-found-in-pond-to-check-if-match-to-missing-retired-green-beret-in-cumberland-county-sister-says/?ipid=promo-link-block2

The discovery of the body was in a pond behind a home along Gainey Road, deputies said. Deputies responded to a 911 call about the body just after 2:30 p.m. that Tuesday.

RELATED: Search continues for missing Green Beret in Cumberland County
More than a dozen deputies and other law enforcement responded to the scene — and the road was blocked.


The next morning, deputies executed a search warrant in the case of Bonnell, who was reported missing on Jan. 30.

During the overnight search, crews put up crime scene tape around a home and the Fayetteville Police Department supplied a dive team. The location of the home was just over 3 miles from Bonnell’s home on Butler Nursery Road.

Stefanie Firkins, Bonnell’s sister, spoke to CBS 17 after he vanished.

“I do not believe he disappeared on his own accord. My brother is definitely not suicidal,” Firkins said just a few days before the body was discovered.

The area where a body was discovered in a pond off Gainey Road. CBS 17 photo
She created a GoFundMe page that has since raised more than $16,000 of a $25,000 goal to help search for her brother, who enrolled in the Physician’s Assistant program at Methodist University last fall.

RELATED: Green Beret veteran in Cumberland County missing for nearly a month
In January, the college alerted deputies after he missed several days of class, leading to a welfare check.

She has remained active on social media since his disappearance.

Clinton “Clint” Bonnell. Photo courtesy: Stefanie Firkins
“Clint’s disappearance has deeply affected his family and friends,” Firkins wrote Friday.


“DNA testing is pending to confirm if the recently discovered body is Clint,” Firkins also said Friday. “The family will fight for justice until satisfied with the answers.”

Firkins said family members are frustrated.

“His car is in the driveway, his keys (and) watch are inside the house,” Firkins said. “I believe somebody out there knows something.”

MORE FROM CBS 17​

CUMBERLAND COUNTY NEWS​

Deputies seek man who exposed himself at NC store​

Missing Cumberland Co. veteran planned to divorce wife: Warrants​

Cumberland County school gets visit from Miss USA 2024​

CBS 17 photo by Ray Duffy of the home on Gainey Road where in a pond a body was found.
Earlier this month, Firkins wrote about her brother who was a Gold Star Family spokesperson and presented at the 2022 Memorial Day ceremony.

“It’s not fair that he dedicated 20 years of his life with multiple deployments and then less than a month after retirement — he disappeared,” Firkins said. “I know I’m not the only one that misses my brother and the sound of his voice.”

Clinton “Clint” Bonnell. Photo courtesy: Stefanie Firkins
Deputies say anyone with information about the location of Bonnell should contact Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. J. Mcleod at (910) 677-5548 or CrimeStoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477).

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Wife of missing ex-Green Beret charged with murder after his DNA matches remains found in pond

Clint Bonnell was reported missing in January. Remains found near his home a month later were identified Friday as his.

www.fayobserver.com

Wife of missing ex-Green Beret charged with murder after his DNA matches remains found in pond​

The wife of a missing retired Green Beret was arrested Friday after his DNA matched human remains found in a pond near his Cumberland County home, the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.

Shana Cloud, 50, is charged with first-degree murder and concealment of death in the slaying of Clinton Bonnell, 50. The concealment charge on the arrest warrant alleges Cloud "failed to notify law enforcement of Clinton Bonnell's death while knowing or having reason to know Clinton Bonnell's death was not due to natural causes."


The news release said investigators learned Friday that DNA collected from the remains was a match to Bonnell's DNA that was on file and analyzed by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System.

"Our hearts go out to the Bonnell family, the Special Forces community, and the Methodist University Physician’s Assistant Program during this difficult time. We ask that the public be respectful of their privacy and mindful of the comments made on social media," the Sheriff's Office said. "Out of respect for Bonnell and the integrity of this ongoing investigation, no additional details will be released at this time."

Officials said Cloud was arrested without incident Friday afternoon at her home.

 

[Guess Who]

Wife of missing ex-Green Beret charged with murder after his DNA matches remains found in pond

Clint Bonnell was reported missing in January. Remains found near his home a month later were identified Friday as his.

www.fayobserver.com

Wife of missing ex-Green Beret charged with murder after his DNA matches remains found in pond​

The wife of a missing retired Green Beret was arrested Friday after his DNA matched human remains found in a pond near his Cumberland County home, the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.

Shana Cloud, 50, is charged with first-degree murder and concealment of death in the slaying of Clinton Bonnell, 50. The concealment charge on the arrest warrant alleges Cloud "failed to notify law enforcement of Clinton Bonnell's death while knowing or having reason to know Clinton Bonnell's death was not due to natural causes."


The news release said investigators learned Friday that DNA collected from the remains was a match to Bonnell's DNA that was on file and analyzed by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System.

"Our hearts go out to the Bonnell family, the Special Forces community, and the Methodist University Physician’s Assistant Program during this difficult time. We ask that the public be respectful of their privacy and mindful of the comments made on social media," the Sheriff's Office said. "Out of respect for Bonnell and the integrity of this ongoing investigation, no additional details will be released at this time."

Officials said Cloud was arrested without incident Friday afternoon at her home.

Glad they wasted no time after formal identification.

 

[Tresir]

Wife of missing ex-Green Beret charged with murder after his DNA matches remains found in pond

Clint Bonnell was reported missing in January. Remains found near his home a month later were identified Friday as his.

www.fayobserver.com

Wife of missing ex-Green Beret charged with murder after his DNA matches remains found in pond​

The wife of a missing retired Green Beret was arrested Friday after his DNA matched human remains found in a pond near his Cumberland County home, the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.

Shana Cloud, 50, is charged with first-degree murder and concealment of death in the slaying of Clinton Bonnell, 50. The concealment charge on the arrest warrant alleges Cloud "failed to notify law enforcement of Clinton Bonnell's death while knowing or having reason to know Clinton Bonnell's death was not due to natural causes."


The news release said investigators learned Friday that DNA collected from the remains was a match to Bonnell's DNA that was on file and analyzed by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System.

"Our hearts go out to the Bonnell family, the Special Forces community, and the Methodist University Physician’s Assistant Program during this difficult time. We ask that the public be respectful of their privacy and mindful of the comments made on social media," the Sheriff's Office said. "Out of respect for Bonnell and the integrity of this ongoing investigation, no additional details will be released at this time."

Officials said Cloud was arrested without incident Friday afternoon at her home.

Well we are not surprised about this, but did she have help? Cannot see that she did this alone, surely ?

God rest his soul.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Wife of dead Green Beret appears in court on murder charge

Cloud is accused of killing her husband, Clinton Bonnell, a retired Special Forces soldier who disappeared in January

www.cityviewnc.com

Wife of dead Green Beret appears in court on murder charge​

Shana Lea Cloud will remain behind bars while she awaits trial on charges of killing her husband, retired Special Forces soldier Clinton Bonnell.

Cloud, 50, let her lawyer speak for her in a Cumberland County courtroom on Monday where she made her first appearance before a judge following her arrest on Friday. She is charged with first-degree murder and violating state law against concealing a death, disturbing human remains and dismembering human remains.


Cloud’s attorney, James C. MacRae Jr., asked District Court Judge Frances Britt to set a bail, calling her a “model citizen” with no prior criminal record and strong community ties. She works as a traveling nurse, he said, adding that her adult daughter, Razzie Cloud, believes Cloud is innocent.

Razzie Cloud attended her mother’s court appearance.

“She does not believe her mother is involved in her father’s death,” MacRae said.

Judge Britt acknowledged MacRae’s points, but ruled against Cloud. Britt cited the “very heinous nature” of Bonnell’s death and said that the potential maximum punishment — the death penalty — could increase Cloud’s flight risk.

District Attorney Bill West, speaking to reporters after the court proceedings, described the case as “horrific.” He emphasized the “terrible condition” of Bonnell’s remains.


While careful not to speculate about motive, West said detectives learned that Bonnell told Cloud he planned to divorce her. Bonnell had a girlfriend, West said, who reported him missing on Jan. 29.

“One of the things that we laid out for the judge, too, is that there’s information that Mr. Bonnell told his girlfriend that he had let the defendant know about the divorce and about his plans for the divorce the night before,” West said. “We believe he was killed the following morning.”

West told CityView that detectives have not uncovered evidence to connect anyone else to the crime. “But as the investigation continues, if something like that develops, we would certainly pursue it,” he said.


Thompson said electronic records obtained by law enforcement determined that on Jan. 29, a day after Bonnell is believed to have been killed, Cloud travelled down the road leading to the pond where Bonnell’s body was found, and stopped there for 15 minutes. She was about 60 feet from where the body was found, he said.

“It was a road where the body was found,” Thomspon said at Cloud’s appearance.

 

[Tresir]

Wife of dead Green Beret appears in court on murder charge

Cloud is accused of killing her husband, Clinton Bonnell, a retired Special Forces soldier who disappeared in January

www.cityviewnc.com

Wife of dead Green Beret appears in court on murder charge​

Shana Lea Cloud will remain behind bars while she awaits trial on charges of killing her husband, retired Special Forces soldier Clinton Bonnell.

Cloud, 50, let her lawyer speak for her in a Cumberland County courtroom on Monday where she made her first appearance before a judge following her arrest on Friday. She is charged with first-degree murder and violating state law against concealing a death, disturbing human remains and dismembering human remains.


Cloud’s attorney, James C. MacRae Jr., asked District Court Judge Frances Britt to set a bail, calling her a “model citizen” with no prior criminal record and strong community ties. She works as a traveling nurse, he said, adding that her adult daughter, Razzie Cloud, believes Cloud is innocent.

Razzie Cloud attended her mother’s court appearance.

“She does not believe her mother is involved in her father’s death,” MacRae said.

Judge Britt acknowledged MacRae’s points, but ruled against Cloud. Britt cited the “very heinous nature” of Bonnell’s death and said that the potential maximum punishment — the death penalty — could increase Cloud’s flight risk.

District Attorney Bill West, speaking to reporters after the court proceedings, described the case as “horrific.” He emphasized the “terrible condition” of Bonnell’s remains.


While careful not to speculate about motive, West said detectives learned that Bonnell told Cloud he planned to divorce her. Bonnell had a girlfriend, West said, who reported him missing on Jan. 29.

“One of the things that we laid out for the judge, too, is that there’s information that Mr. Bonnell told his girlfriend that he had let the defendant know about the divorce and about his plans for the divorce the night before,” West said. “We believe he was killed the following morning.”

West told CityView that detectives have not uncovered evidence to connect anyone else to the crime. “But as the investigation continues, if something like that develops, we would certainly pursue it,” he said.


Thompson said electronic records obtained by law enforcement determined that on Jan. 29, a day after Bonnell is believed to have been killed, Cloud travelled down the road leading to the pond where Bonnell’s body was found, and stopped there for 15 minutes. She was about 60 feet from where the body was found, he said.

“It was a road where the body was found,” Thomspon said at Cloud’s appearance.

Oh my goodness. That last bit.


"Thompson said electronic records obtained by law enforcement determined that on Jan. 29, a day after Bonnell is believed to have been killed, Cloud travelled down the road leading to the pond where Bonnell’s body was found, and stopped there for 15 minutes. She was about 60 feet from where the body was found, he said.

“It was a road where the body was found,” Thomspon said at Cloud’s appearance. "