Woman accused of killing, dismembering Green Beret husband in NC denied bond reduction

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- The woman accused of killing her Green Beret husband and disposing of his body in January 2025 is back in court on Tuesday.

Shana Cloud appeared in a Cumberland County courtroom to ask the judge for a bond reduction. ABC11 learned that Cloud's defense team had planned to present new evidence to support her bond reduction.

The defense said Cloud has no criminal record, is not a threat, was employed, and has attended all her court hearings. They also pointed out that the state has no physical evidence against her and argued she should be granted bond.

The defense mentioned Cloud's size and how people often focus on the wife in these cases, saying, "They always look at the wife during these cases, but the evidence from the state does not show how this little lady could have done this without a trace."

The defense asked the judge for a bond of $500,000 or less.

The state argued that Bonnell was shot in the back four times while wearing a backpack, which was later found at their home. The judge then asked, 'If he was shot and didn't take the backpack, then who did?'

The judge denied Cloud's request for a bond reduction, which means she will remain in jail without bond.

The hearing lasted for about an hour and a half.

There were eight members of Bonnell's family there for the hearing, including his girlfriend. They all seemed happy with the judge's decision.

Bonnell's sister spoke with ABC11's Penelope Lopez off-camera and said she was happy with the outcome.

Cloud was indicted by a Cumberland County grand jury in February of this year.

Investigators say 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.

Bonnell was taking classes at Methodist University and enrolled in the Physician Assistant Program.

Investigators said Bonnell's girlfriend, Kelli Edwards, also requested a welfare check and filed a missing persons report.

Bonnell was never seen again.

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.

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.

A search warrant shows that Bonnell's cell phone records indicated he did come to the couple's home night and never left.

An affidavit 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.

An autopsy showed Bonnell had been shot multiple times in the back and dismembered with saw.

The whereabouts of his arms, legs and head are still unknown.

ABC11 News will continue to follow this case and update you with the latest as it happens