As the investigation into the mysterious disappearance of Clinton “Clint” Bonnell, a retired Special Forces soldier, nears 60 days, authorities continue to search for answers.
The case took a new turn on February 25, when human remains were discovered in a pond near his residence in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Authorities have not confirmed a link between the remains and Bonnell, but DNA testing is underway to determine if the body belongs to the missing 50-year-old veteran.
The remains were found in a pond near Gainey Road, and law enforcement immediately launched a two-day search of the area, recovering the dismembered body and transporting it to the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for further analysis.
The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Bonnell’s home on Butler Nursery Road on February 26. However, details of what was found during that search have not been released. Despite the shocking discovery of the remains, authorities are not yet confirming any connection between the body and Bonnell.
Bonnell was last seen on January 27, 2025, in the Gray’s Creek area. He was reported missing on January 30 after failing to attend classes at Methodist University, where he was enrolled in the physician assistant program. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance have raised numerous questions, particularly regarding the actions of his wife, Shana Cloud.
Cloud did not report her husband missing until two days after he failed to attend class, and her actions have drawn public scrutiny. She only reached out to Bonnell’s sister, Stefanie Firkins, on January 29, after he had been missing for two days. Firkins has publicly questioned Cloud’s involvement in a potential cover-up, raising concerns about what Cloud was allegedly burning in a fire pit when authorities arrived at their home.
Despite the suspicions surrounding Cloud, she has not publicly addressed the allegations and has retained legal counsel. The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office continues to classify the case as a missing persons investigation, and Sgt. Mickey Locklear emphasized that authorities are actively pursuing every lead in an effort to find Bonnell.
In a recent email to The Salty Soldier, Senior Sergeant Mickey Locklear confirmed that DNA results are still pending to identify the remains found in the pond.
“We are still waiting for DNA results to identify the body that was located in the pond,” Locklear wrote.
“Detectives have been actively and diligently working to locate Mr. Bonnell since he was reported missing. We have no new information to release regarding the missing persons case involving Mr. Bonnell at this time.”
Firkins has remained vocal in her quest for answers, maintaining that her brother would never abandon his family, his education, or his future. She has launched a GoFundMe campaign to offer a reward for information leading to his discovery and has urged anyone with knowledge about his whereabouts to come forward.
The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office continues to ask for assistance from the public. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Sergeant J. McLeod at (910) 677-5548 or submit an anonymous tip to Fayetteville/Cumberland County Crimestoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477).
As the investigation moves forward, the community remains hopeful that new information will surface, bringing clarity to the mystery of Clint Bonnell’s disappearance.
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