Authorities have announced they will be executing a search warrant today in Fayetteville, North Carolina, in relation to the missing persons case of a recently retired Special Forces soldier.
The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office stated that the search will take place in the area of Butler Nursery Road and Gainey Road, Fayetteville.
Residents can expect to see multiple law enforcement officers in the area as the search is conducted.
The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office has been searching for Clinton “Clint” Bonnell since he was reported missing on January 30, 2025. He was last seen in the Gray’s Creek area on the evening of January 27, 2025.
Bonnell is described as a 50-year-old white male, standing 6 feet tall and weighing 195 pounds. He has short brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a plaid button-up shirt, a black hoodie, and brown pants.
A student at Methodist University, Bonnell was also known to frequent the Fit4Life gym on Owen Drive. His disappearance has left his family desperate for answers, particularly his sister, Stefanie Firkins, who continues to search for him nearly a month after he went missing.
Bonnell, who retired from the Army in December 2024, was enrolled in the physician assistant program at Methodist University. According to his sister, he was deeply committed to his studies and valued his education.
“I know what he was doing the day that he disappeared. He was making plans for his life and studying for exams the next day,” Firkins told ABC. “All signs point to him vanishing not on his own accord.”
Bonnell was last seen at Fit4Life gym on Owen Drive on January 27. Later, he went to Methodist University, where he is believed to have been present between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. That evening, he texted a friend to confirm he had arrived home in Fayetteville. However, he did not attend class the next day and has not been heard from since.
“He worked so hard to get into this P.A. program and took it very seriously,” Firkins said. “He would not have just not shown up.”
Following concerns about his absence, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office conducted a wellness check at Bonnell’s home, where he lived with his wife, Shana Cloud. Authorities found his car and car keys at the residence, but there was no sign of him.
One of the most pressing questions surrounding Bonnell’s disappearance is why his wife did not report him missing. On January 29, Cloud reached out to his sister via Facebook, asking if she had spoken to him. She then informed Firkins that he had not shown up for class for two days and that the sheriff’s office had visited their home multiple times.
This revelation has fueled public speculation, with many questioning why Cloud did not immediately report her husband missing. Concerns have also arisen regarding the lack of a widespread search effort in the area.
The Salty Soldier attempted to reach Cloud for comment but was unsuccessful.
The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office first posted about Bonnell’s disappearance on January 30, later updating the information on February 7 with details about his last known whereabouts.
Despite living in Texas, Firkins remains committed to finding her brother. “He would not walk away from his life, his school, or his daughter,” she said. “We are praying every day for his safety. We will not stop looking for him or searching for answers.”
As authorities continue their investigation, Firkins urges anyone with information to come forward.
“We as a society have to stop being dismissive of these soldiers who have given so much and assuming they’ve just given up on themselves,” Firkins wrote on a GoFundMe page established to fund a reward for information leading to his discovery. “Clint did not give up on himself! And I’m not giving up on looking for him!”
On Thursday morning, a public information officer with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office confirmed in an emailed statement to TheSaltySoldier.com that the case is still considered a missing persons case.
“The investigation is ongoing and active, therefore details/information that can be released are limited,” they wrote.
Earlier this week, on February 25, 2025, at 2:33 p.m., Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a 911 call regarding a body found in a pond in the 4000 block of Gainey Road, Fayetteville. The pond is located at the end of Gainey Road, a dead-end street.
The search warrant being executed today is also on Gainey Road. However, the sheriff’s office has not confirmed whether the two cases are related.
If you have any information about Clint Bonnell’s whereabouts, please contact:
Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office Detective Sergeant J. McLeod at (910) 677-5548
Fayetteville / Cumberland County Crimestoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477) (anonymous tips accepted)
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