The long-unsolved mystery surrounding the disappearance of Brandon Carl Wayne McDonald has been tragically resolved, as his remains were identified this month, nearly three years after his disappearance in March 2021. The discovery of his scattered bones in eastern North Carolina has finally provided closure to a case that had left investigators and McDonald’s family searching for answers.
Brandon McDonald, a 35-year-old man from the Clarkton area of Bladen County, vanished without a trace on March 25, 2021. He was last seen leaving his home in the early hours of the morning. According to reports, McDonald made a phone call to his father just after 7 a.m. that day, stating they would meet within an hour. However, McDonald never showed up. His vehicle, a black 2003 Ford F-150 pickup truck, was found abandoned and wrecked in Hope Mills, North Carolina, but McDonald was nowhere to be found.
Despite extensive efforts to locate him, McDonald’s whereabouts remained a mystery, and his family and the community were left grappling with uncertainty and grief. In the months following his disappearance, the case grew cold, with no new leads or evidence coming forward. It wasn’t until a recent two-day search in the eastern part of North Carolina that investigators uncovered several items of evidentiary value, including human bone remains.
In a statement, Lt. Earl Haywood of the Scotland County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the discovery and the subsequent identification of the remains as those of McDonald. “During the medical testing of the human bone remains, it was discovered that the remains were that of Brandon Carl Wayne McDonald,” he reported.
The investigation took a grim turn when it was revealed that McDonald had been killed “with malice and aforethought” by three individuals. The suspects—identified as Michael Anthony Bethea Jr., 32; LaKeithan JuJuan Tyson, 25; and Shelena Lynn Clark, 37—were arrested in 2024 and charged with first-degree murder, felony conspiracy to commit murder, and the concealment of a death. The sheriff’s office has not disclosed a motive for McDonald’s death, nor have they explained how the suspects were linked to the case.
Authorities were able to identify the suspects with the assistance of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) Special Agents, who helped piece together the evidence and information leading to the arrests. Investigators believe that McDonald’s body was dismembered and disposed of in an effort to conceal the crime. The circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation, though authorities are hopeful that the ongoing legal proceedings will provide more details.
McDonald’s disappearance had sparked widespread concern and led to an outpouring of support from the local community. His family, who had been waiting for answers for nearly three years, expressed both relief and sorrow upon hearing the news. While the discovery of his remains has answered some questions, the pain of losing McDonald in such a violent and tragic manner is a burden that his loved ones will carry for the rest of their lives.
The case has drawn attention to the importance of continued forensic and investigative work in solving cold cases, and the role of local and state agencies in bringing justice to victims and their families. Investigators are expected to provide further updates as the case progresses through the legal system.
As for the suspects, they are currently facing serious charges in connection with McDonald’s death. The trial and subsequent proceedings will no doubt shed more light on the tragic events that led to McDonald’s untimely and violent demise.