A North Carolina man who vanished in January was reportedly planning to divorce his wife.
Clinton Bonnell’s wife allegedly told police that she last saw him at Fit 4 Life in Fayetteville on January 27. She claimed they left in separate cars, and Bonnell was headed to Methodist University to study for a test, according to WNCN.
However, Bonnell’s girlfriend reportedly claimed he went to a lawyer that day about filing for divorce. Bonnell allegedly went to his girlfriend’s job to discuss the conversation he had with the divorce lawyer before going to school to study.
READ: Body Found in Pond Amid Search for Recently-Retired Green Beret Who Vanished in January
According to the girlfriend, Bonnell texted her that night and said he told his wife about the divorce. He reportedly also wrote that he was going to sleep.
The following day, on January 28, Bonnell failed to attend classes at Methodist University, where he is enrolled in the physical assistant program. Cell phone records indicated Bonnell’s phone was active at his home until that morning, though it became active again on January 30, according to WNCN.
Bonnell’s girlfriend and college officials requested a welfare check on January 28. Police went to his home the next day and found his wallet, keys, and car, but they did not locate his phone. WNCN reported that investigators returned to the home on January 31 and discovered his laptop and backpack — both of which had projectile damage.
Detectives executed a search warrant on Bonnell’s wife’s truck in Virginia on February 1. At that time, she allegedly admitted to getting into an argument with Bonnell after finding a note from his girlfriend.
Weeks later, police found a partial body in a pond located five miles from Bonnell’s home. Reports indicated that the body had no legs or arms. The body has not been identified.
Police performed another search at Bonnell’s 15-acre property a day after the body was found. WNCN reported that multiple items were seized, including a pistol. However, Cumberland County police Sergeant Mickey Locklear said the body found in a nearby pond and the search warrant at Bonnell’s home are separate cases.
Bonnell retired from the military a month before he vanished.
[Feature Photo: Cumberland County police]
