FAYETTEVILLE, NC — Court filings reveal a disturbing twist in the case of Shana Cloud, the Fayetteville woman charged with murdering her husband, retired Special Forces medic Clinton “Clint” Bonnell.
Records obtained by The Salty Soldier show that even before Bonnell’s dismembered remains were recovered, Cloud retained an attorney and filed a lawsuit seeking control of his assets — moving against his parents in court while he was still listed as a missing person.
The Asset Grab
On February 28, 2025, just one month after Bonnell disappeared, Cloud’s attorney filed a complaint for receivership in Cumberland County Superior Court against Bonnell’s parents, Steve and Sylvia Bonnell.
The filing sought to have a court-appointed receiver take control of Bonnell’s property and finances. Among the assets listed were:
- The couple’s Fayetteville home at 3265 Butler Nursery Road
- A 2015 Mercedes ML250
- A 2019 Chevrolet Colorado
- Bonnell’s USAA checking account
The timing was striking. According to investigators, Bonnell had last been seen alive on January 27, 2025. By the end of February, while law enforcement and family were still searching for him, Cloud had already turned to the courts in an effort to secure his assets.
But within days — after Cloud’s arrest on March 28, 2025, when prosecutors charged her with first-degree murder and concealment of death, and as evidence mounted against her — the suit was voluntarily dismissed on March 31, 2025, according to court records.
Soon after, Cloud submitted an affidavit of indigency in her criminal case, declaring she could not afford an attorney and requesting a court-appointed lawyer. This stood in sharp contrast to her earlier decision to pay for private counsel to pursue Bonnell’s estate.
North Carolina’s Slayer Statute (N.C.G.S. § 31A-6) bars anyone charged with unlawfully killing another from inheriting from or controlling the victim’s estate. In practice, this means Cloud cannot legally profit from Bonnell’s death, and control of his property falls instead to his lawful heirs — in this case, his parents and his sister, Stefanie Firkins, who has been appointed administrator of his estate.
A Murder Case Already Shocking
The attempted estate claim is only one piece of a case that has horrified many in the veteran community.
- Burn pile suspicions: According to earlier reports and witness accounts, Cloud was seen tending a burn pile on the property shortly after Bonnell’s disappearance, raising suspicions about the destruction of evidence.
- Dismembered remains: Court documents confirm that human remains later recovered from a nearby pond were identified as Bonnell. Prosecutors allege the body had been dismembered.
- Bond denied: Judges in Cumberland County have repeatedly denied Cloud bond, citing the severity of the charges and the strength of the evidence presented so far.
Disposition Hearing
Cloud is scheduled to return to Cumberland County District Court on Wednesday, August 27th for a disposition hearing — a routine but significant step in the pretrial process.
At a disposition hearing, the court reviews the status of the case and determines what happens next. Possible outcomes include:
- Setting a trial date if both sides are ready to move forward.
- Considering plea negotiations if discussions are underway.
- Granting continuances if more time is needed for preparation.
- Resolving evidentiary motions that could shape what evidence is presented at trial.
For many in the Special Forces and veteran community, the case has become a grim reminder of betrayal and brutality. A decorated soldier — last seen alive in late January — was not only killed and dismembered, but his wife, now accused of the crime, attempted to take his property before his body was even found.
As the case progresses, Bonnell’s family continues to fight to preserve his legacy in the courts, while prosecutors press forward with charges that could carry life in prison or the death penalty.
One thing is certain: the fight for justice in the death of Clinton Bonnell is far from over.
Legal Note: Shana Cloud has been charged but not convicted of any crime. Under U.S. law, all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
© 2025 The Salty Soldier. All Rights Reserved.
The content of this webpage may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written consent of TheSaltySoldier.com.
