Lake City, South Carolina.A Lake City man was arrested after a horrifying discovery of dismembered human remains was made in his home following a missing persons complaint from Brunswick County, North Carolina, according to authorities.
While inspecting the Lynches River boat landing at Riverside Cemetery on Saturday, a Florence County Sheriff’s Office officer noticed the roof of a vehicle that was mostly submerged. Fire, EMS, and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources personnel helped retrieve the unoccupied vehicle out of the river.
Charles Edward Antwine, 56, of Stillwater Road, close to Lake City, was the owner of the car’s South Carolina license plate. Christy Thomas Ward and Antwine were reported missing from Brunswick County earlier this week.
During a welfare check at Antwine’s stated residence, deputies reported smelling something strange. Investigators got a search warrant after no one answered the door. Antwine was discovered seated on a couch inside the house. After more investigation, human remains were found inside tape-sealed plastic canisters.
In accordance with South Carolina Code 16-17-600(A), Antwine was arrested at the site and charged with desecration of human remains. In anticipation of a bond hearing, he is being detained at the Florence County Detention Center.
While the investigation is ongoing, an autopsy is ordered.
Keith Von Lutcken, the coroner for Florence County, has directed the remains to be autopsied at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Officials have not said if the remains belong to one or both of the missing people, and their identity has not yet been verified.
The investigation is still ongoing, according to the authorities, and more charges could be brought. Updates will be given as additional information becomes available, according to the Florence County Sheriff’s Office.
One day after the car was found in the river and connected to the missing people investigation, Antwine was taken into custody.
