North Carolina Woman Charged with Murdering Green Beret Husband and Concealing His Death

North Carolina authorities have arrested a woman in connection with the disappearance and murder of her husband, a retired Green Beret.

Shana Cloud faces charges of first-degree murder and concealment of death after her husband, Clinton Bonnell, 50, was found dead in a body of water in Fayetteville. Authorities discovered his remains on Tuesday after receiving a call regarding "human remains," according to the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office.

Bonnell had been missing since January 28, when a Methodist University employee requested a wellness check at his Fayetteville residence. Bonnell, who was attending the university's physician assistant program, had failed to show up for class that morning. Deputies initially spoke with Cloud, who claimed she had not seen her husband since the previous day. His vehicle, school bag, and other belongings were found at the residence.

Later that evening, a friend of Bonnell contacted authorities to request another wellness check. This led to the opening of a missing persons case. By January 30, the sheriff's office executed a search warrant at Bonnell's home, and further search warrants were executed on Cloud's vehicle, rental property, and phone in Virginia the following day.

Investigators gathered evidence, including cellphone records, digital data, and video footage, to construct a timeline surrounding Bonnell's disappearance. DNA testing later confirmed that the remains found matched Bonnell's DNA.

Cloud was arrested without incident at her residence and is scheduled to make her first court appearance on Monday. The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office issued a statement expressing condolences to Bonnell's family, the Special Forces community, and the Methodist University Physician's Assistant Program.

Methodist University President Stanley T. Wearden also released a statement, offering sympathy to Bonnell's family and urging the community to respect their privacy during this time of grief. A GoFundMe set up during Bonnell's disappearance highlighted his 20-year Army career, including his role as a Green Beret medic.

This case underscores the tragic and often mysterious circumstances that can emerge even within close relationships. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities refraining from releasing further details.