CRIME & COURTS

Jessica Barnes’ Murder: Charges Filed

Missing South Carolina woman was killed two months ago by her husband, police say…

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The husband of an Upstate woman missing since August 1, 2024 has been arrested and charged with murder as horrific details emerged regarding the final moments of her life.

Twenty-one-year-old Brandon Barnes – the husband of 20-year old Jessica Barnes – was taken into custody on Monday (September 30, 2024) and charged with strangling his late wife to death. Just last week, Barnes was posing by a missing persons’ poster for Jessica professing his love for her.

“I would tell her how much I love her,” Barnes told Troy Styles of Blunt Force Media.

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Brandon Barnes
Brandon Barnes (Blunt Force Media)

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Barnes’ live-in girlfriend, 20-year-old Victoria Tippett, and 20-year-old Kendall Mims – the mother of Brandon Barnes’ child – were also arrested in connection with Jessica’s murder.

Barnes has been charged with murder, while Mims and Tippett have been charged with accessory after the fact, obstruction of justice and misprision of a felony. Additional charges could be forthcoming.

According to a probable cause affidavit accompanying the warrant for Barnes’ arrest, he is accused of “using his arms to strangle (Barnes) to death” at a pool house in Pendleton, S.C. on August 2, 2024 – the day after she was last seen alive.

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Barnes, Tippett and Mims were living with Jessica in the pool house – which is owned by Mims’ grandfather. That property was searched by police on September 20 in connection with Jessica’s disappearance.

According to police, Barnes subsequently joined Tippett and Mims in an effort to dispose of Jessica’s remains in the Twin Lakes region of Pickens County.

Jessica’s remains were reportedly discovered in a wooded area near the Twin Lakes boat ramp – just four miles west-southwest of the home where Barnes allegedly murdered her.

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The Twin Lakes boat ramp located just west of Pendleton, S.C. (Blunt Force Media)

According to a probable cause affidavit accompany a warrant for her arrest, Mims admitted to police “helping (Barnes) dispose of victim Jessica Barnes’ body.” Another affidavit for a warrant for Tippett’s arrest noted the she “did help dispose of the victim’s body.”

All three defendants have reportedly confessed to their roles in the crime after having been advised of their Miranda rights.

The investigation into the disappearance of Jessica began in earnest in mid-September when her mother, Cecilia Varvara, requested a wellness check after her daughter stopped answering her calls – and messages sent to Brandon Barnes were not returned. Varvara was especially concerned for her daughter’s well-being in the aftermath of allegations of physical abuse against her involving Brandon Barnes.

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Varvara issued a statement on behalf of herself and Jessica’s siblings through Blunt Force Media.

“With heavy hearts, we humbly return Jessica into the hands of Jesus, where we know she is now safe from her abuser,” they wrote. “Her spirit is renewed, and she is enveloped in the love she longed for so deeply while she was with us on this earth.”

“We hope this serves as a message to domestic violence victims everywhere: Please reach out for help,” the statement added. “Jessica was strong, but piece by piece, he strength was stripped away.”

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The investigation into Jessica’s murder was led by the Pendleton police department. The S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) confirmed last week that its agents were requested to assist with the investigation. According to Pendleton police, they were also assisted by “a forensic anthropologist from Clemson University (who) helped identify the remains as human.”

On Tuesday (October 1, 2024), a forensic odontologist – or a scientist who studies teeth – identified the remains found at the wooded area near the boat ramp as belonging to Jessica.

Barnes, Tippett and Mims are both being held at the Anderson County detention center.

As with anyone accused of committing any crime, all three defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty by our criminal justice system – or until such time as they may wish to enter some form of allocution in connection with a plea agreement with prosecutors related to any of the charges filed against them.

This is a breaking news story based on the latest information available. Stay with FITSNews for updates …

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RELEASE/WARRANTS…

(Pendleton Police Department)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …

Jenn Wood (Provided)

Jenn Wood is FITSNews’ incomparable research director. She’s also the producer of the FITSFiles and Cheer Incorporated podcasts and leading expert on all things Murdaugh/ South Carolina justice. A former private investigator with a criminal justice degree, evildoers beware, Jenn Wood is far from your average journalist! A deep dive researcher with a passion for truth and a heart for victims, this mom of two is pretty much a superhero in FITSNews country. Did we mention she’s married to a rocket scientist? (Lucky guy!) Got a story idea or a tip for Jenn? Email her at jenn@fitsnews.com.

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