A missing person case took a horrific turn this week as Florence County deputies made a chilling discovery at a residence in South Carolina. Last week, 56-year-old Charles Antwine and his wife, Christy Ward, were reported missing from their home in Brunswick County, North Carolina by their relatives.
On Saturday, a patrol deputy was inspecting the Lynches River boat landing at Riverside Cemetery when he spotted the roof of a mostly submerged car from a distance. The authorities recovered the vehicle but it was unoccupied. Upon running checks on the license plate, it was found out that the car belonged to Antwine, who had another address in Lake City.
When the deputies visited the address, they encountered an “unusual smell.” As per FCSO officials, nobody responded when they knocked on the door.
“A search warrant for the residence was obtained, and upon entry, deputies encountered Antwine who was sitting on a couch,” the officials were quoted in a Law & Crime report. But their next discovery was even more chilling.
“We found some containers with body parts in them where they appeared to be cut up,” said Florence County Sheriff TJ Joye. He told that human remains were found in three plastic containers, which were taped shut, as per WMBF.
“It’s something like out of a horror movie. Very horrific,” the sheriff described the discovery.
Currently, Antwine has been charged for the alleged discovery of human remains. He has also been charged for the disappearance of his wife. However, the cops informed that the case is under investigation and additional charges are possible depending on the autopsy report. The sheriff said that the remains are most likely of Ward, but an official confirmation from the autopsy is awaited.
“What began as a missing persons report from Brunswick County, North Carolina led FCSO investigators to charge a Lake City man with desecration of human remains,” the sheriff’s office said in a press release.
On Monday, Antwine was presented in court for a bond hearing. He appeared in a wheelchair. Sheriff explained that he had a broken leg.
Ward’s son, Zachary Ward, was also present at the bond hearing and reportedly made an emotional plea for justice.
“Now she’s gone and I’ll never get to see her again and she’ll never get to see any accomplishments I have in life,” the son said. He told the court, “She’s overcome so much. And she’s been through so much. She just lost her father. And he was the only one left that she had other than us.”
Antwine is currently held at the Florence County Detention Center. His bond plea was rejected by the judge deferring that decision to a Circuit Court. As per WMBF, “His first appearance is scheduled for Aug. 19, 2025.”
