Shana Lea Cloud, 50, the wife of Green Beret Clinton “Clint” Bonnell, 50, a Fayetteville man who had been missing since January, has been charged with his murder, according to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities confirmed Friday, March 28, that Cloud was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and concealment of death after human remains found without arms and legs in a nearby pond were positively identified as Bonnell’s.
Bonnell, a student at Methodist University, was first reported missing on January 28, 2025, by his girlfriend after he failed to show up for class. Methodist University officials also requested a welfare check at Bonnell’s Butler Nursery Road residence, which he shared with Cloud.
When deputies arrived at the home, Cloud stated she last saw her husband the previous day after they left in separate vehicles. She told investigators that Bonnell was headed to campus to study for an upcoming test.
The following day, deputies executed a search warrant at the home. Inside, they discovered Bonnell’s car, wallet, and keys—but notably, his phone was missing. Despite these findings, Cloud declined to file a missing person report. Instead, Bonnell’s girlfriend formally filed the report, prompting the case to be assigned to the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit.
Two days later, the case was escalated to the homicide division. Deputies conducted a second search and discovered Bonnell’s laptop and bookbag, both of which showed signs of projectile damage—raising suspicions of foul play.
The investigation soon expanded to Virginia, where deputies—along with the Virginia State Police—executed multiple search warrants to obtain digital evidence, including cell phone records, video surveillance, and location data, in an effort to reconstruct Bonnell’s final movements.
According to newly unsealed court documents, Bonnell was planning to divorce Cloud prior to his disappearance. Investigators say Cloud later admitted to confronting Bonnell about a note from his girlfriend, suggesting a domestic dispute may have played a role in the case.
In February, authorities were led to a pond off Gainey Road—just three miles from the couple’s home—where they found a dismembered body with no legs or arms. On March 28, DNA testing confirmed the remains were those of Clinton Bonnell.
Body Found in Fayetteville Pond, DNA Testing to Confirm If It’s Missing Man Since January
Following confirmation of the remains, arrest warrants were issued for Shana Lea Cloud, who was taken into custody shortly thereafter. She is being held without bond and is scheduled to make her first court appearance today, Monday, March 31.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials have not ruled out additional charges.
