Pendleton, SC| At a news conference at Pendleton Town Hall, Chief Crosby announced that three people had been charged with the disappearance of Jessica Barnes. Jessica’s Husband, BRANDON BARNES, has been charged with Murder. Two roommates have been charged with Accessory After the Face, Obstruction of Justice, and Misprision of a Felony. All three are set to have a bond hearing today, Wednesday, October 2, 2024. The Anderson County Coroner’s Office said:
Greg Shore, Coroner advised that his office is now involved in the
investigation of a woman who has been missing since August and her body was discovered in Pickens County, SC.
Mr. Shore advised that initially the investigation was handled by the Pickens County Coroner’s Office where the body
was discovered. Late last night the investigation took a turn and revealed that the victim was apparently killed in
Pendleton, SC. Investigators with the Anderson County Office of the Coroner have now been assigned to the case.
The victim has been identified as:
JESSICA R. BARNES
20-year-old female from Pendleton, SC
The victim was reported missing on September 10, 2024, by her mother, stating that she had not been seen since
August 1,2024. Investigators from Pendleton Police Department and SLED searched for Barnes and located her
remains in a wooded area in Pickens County on Friday, September 20, 2024. The case was initially handled by the
Pickens County Coroner’s Office and forensic testing was performed by Clemson Anthropology Department and a
Forensic Odontologist confirming that the remains found were in fact Jessica Barnes.
An Autopsy was performed by the Pickens County Coroner’s Office and the cause of death has been determined to
be asphyxiation by strangulation, the manner of death has been ruled homicide.
The investigation is ongoing by Pendleton Police Department, SLED, Pickens County Coroner’s Office and the.
Anderson County Office of the Coroner. More details to follow.
