Wife of NC Green Beret who disappeared, charged with murder after body found in pond identified

The case of a missing North Carolina Green Beret has escalated into a murder investigation following the arrest of his wife, Shana Cloud, on March 28. Fayetteville police stated that Cloud is charged with first-degree murder and concealment of death in connection with the death of her husband, 50-year-old Clinton Bonnell. His remains were identified through DNA analysis after being discovered in a pond in February.

Bonnell was last seen in the Gray's Creek area on January 27, and when he failed to attend class the next day, a well-being check was requested. Upon visiting Bonnell’s home, deputies spoke with Cloud, who claimed she had not seen him since the day he went missing. Bonnell's belongings were found at the house, prompting authorities to file a missing persons report and assign the case to the Major Crimes Unit of the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office.

As the investigation advanced, it was reassigned to the Homicide Unit, and detectives executed search warrants on Cloud's vehicle and other personal property in Virginia. Evidence collected during these searches contributed to reconstructing the timeline of Bonnell's disappearance and his activities leading up to it.

On February 25, human remains were found in a body of water, prompting DNA testing to confirm the identity. On March 28, the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System confirmed the remains were Bonnell's, leading to the charges against Cloud.

Methodist University, where Bonnell was enrolled in the Physician Assistant program, expressed gratitude to the local law enforcement and extended condolences to Bonnell's family during this challenging period. Cloud's first court appearance is set for March 31, 2025. Authorities are encouraging anyone with information related to the investigation to come forward.