Authorities are conducting an investigation after a body with no legs or arms was discovered in a pond near the residence of Clinton “Clint” Bonnell, who was reported missing in January.
On February 25, a homeowner along Gainey Road alerted authorities to a body in a nearby pond. The 911 caller described the remains as a torso, stating, “There’s no legs or arms or nothing on it.”
The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) responded, initiating a two-day search of the area. The body was transported to the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for identification.
Simultaneously, investigators executed a search warrant at Bonnell’s residence on Butler Nursery Road, located approximately half a mile from the pond. While no direct evidence has linked the discovery to Bonnell’s disappearance, authorities are exploring all possibilities. CCSO spokesperson Sgt. Mickey Locklear stated, “We are searching for any details that will help us find Mr. Bonnell.”
Clinton Bonnell, 50, was last seen on January 27 at the Fit4Life Health business on Owen Drive in Fayetteville. A student in the Physician Assistant program at Methodist University and class president, Bonnell failed to attend classes on January 28, raising concerns among family and peers.
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As of March 10, DNA testing is underway to determine if the remains found in the pond belong to Bonnell. Authorities have not released further details, and the investigation continues.
Anyone with information regarding Clint Bonnell’s whereabouts or the circumstances surrounding the discovered remains is urged to contact the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office Detective Sergeant J. McLeod at (910) 677-5548 or call 911. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Fayetteville/Cumberland County Crimestoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477).
