Three Charged With First-degree Murder in 2021 Disappearance of Brandon Carl Wayne Mcdonald, Scotland County Sheriff Reports
The Scotland County Sheriff’s Office revealed on Saturday that three people face murder charges in connection with Brandon Carl Wayne McDonald’s disappearance in 2021.
Michael Anthony “Blue” Bethea Jr., 32, Shelena Lynn Clark, 37, and LaKeithan “Joe” JuJuan Tyson, 25, have each been charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and concealing of death.
On Monday at 9 a.m., the three are scheduled to make their initial appearances in Scotland County District Court.
Since McDonald was last seen leaving his home in Clarkton en route to Laurinburg on March 25, 2021, a joint task force of the Scotland County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation has been working on the case.
In May, detectives began re-examining the case.
“After countless hours of continued investigation and newly generated information, the investigation began to move from a missing person to a homicide investigation,” the police department said.
As a result of this development, the Scotland County District Attorney’s Office offered assistance to the task force.
According to The Charley Project, a website that tracks missing person cases, McDonald left his home at 3 a.m. without mentioning where he was going. His phone was last detected around Cooper Street in Laurinburg.
McDonald called his father at 7:10 a.m. to say he’d be home within an hour, but he never returned. His destroyed pickup truck was found abandoned at Hope Mills, about 37 miles from Laurinburg.
“We are appreciative of the multiple law enforcement agencies, search and rescue teams, canine units, fire departments, and emergency services wo have spent countless hours over the past three years assisting in the investigation,” a statement from the Scotland County Sheriff’s Office read.
“Additionally, we are grateful for the family members and friends of Brandon Carl Wayne McDonald who never stopped pursuing justice for him,” according to the police.
According to authorities, the inquiry is still ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Lt. E. Haywood at (910) 276-3385, the NCSBI at (800) 334-3000, or Scotland County Crimestoppers at (910) 266-8146.