On Jan. 28, 2025, Clint Bonnell failed to show up for classes at Methodist University, a university employee requested a wellness check and raised the first concerns about his whereabouts.
Investigators said Bonnell's girlfriend, Kelli Edwards, also requested a welfare check and filed a missing persons report.
Authorities said the report came after Bonnell told his wife, Shana Cloud, that he wanted a divorce.
The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office says during a welfare check at a home, Shana Cloud "indicated Clinton Bonnell did not return home" the night before. Deputies, however, say they found his vehicle located in the driveway, along with his car keys, book bag for school and other items.
The Office says in the arrest affidavit Bonnell's cell phone records show he did come to the couple's home that night and did not leave the residence.
An affidavit also details how law enforcement went to lengths to identify Bonnell. Only his torso was found in a pond.
Deputies say "due to the conditions of the remains," the North Carolina State Medical Examiner's Office had to obtain DNA and create a DNA profile.
That was then sent to the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System to be compared to the DNA on file for Bonnell.
The prosecution believes he was killed a day after he went to a lawyer's office to seek a divorce and told his girlfriend he was preparing to end the marriage.
Cumberland County District Attorney Billy West says the pending divorce could have possibly been a motive.
SEE ALSO | Wife may have killed Green Beret husband because he was ending marriage; 'Horrific case,' DA says
Days after his torso was discovered, a legal battle ensued over control of Bonnell's assets. They included the couple's home, two vehicles and his USAA checking account.
As Cloud was being formally arraigned for Bonnell's murder, the lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed.
Bonnell was taking classes at Methodist University and enrolled in the Physician Assistant Program.
Featured video is from a previous report