A man who was reported missing alongside his wife in North Carolina last week is now facing criminal charges after police discovered his wife’s dismembered remains in a South Carolina residence. Charles Antwine, 56, was found sitting calmly on a couch in a Lake City home, surrounded by containers holding his wife’s body parts. Authorities are still investigating the case, and more charges may be forthcoming.
The Discovery
The case began when Charles Antwine and his wife, Christy Ward, were reported missing by their relatives in Brunswick County, North Carolina, last week. As the investigation progressed, law enforcement officials in Florence County, South Carolina, discovered a submerged vehicle near a local boat landing that appeared to be registered to Antwine.
When deputies arrived at Antwine’s Lake City address for a property check, they noticed an unusual smell coming from the residence and found no response to knocks on the door. A search warrant was obtained, and upon entering the home, officers found Antwine sitting on a couch. It was there that they discovered plastic containers, taped shut, containing what appeared to be dismembered human remains.
Sheriff T.J. Joye of Florence County described the scene as “something like out of some horror movie” after investigators identified the remains as belonging to Christy Ward. While Antwine is a suspect in his wife’s disappearance, her autopsy is still pending, and authorities have not yet formally charged him with her murder.
Antwine’s Criminal Charges
Following the discovery of the body parts, Antwine was charged with desecration of human remains. Police have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges depending on the outcome of the ongoing investigation and the autopsy results. Antwine is currently being held at the Florence County Detention Center, awaiting his circuit court bond hearing.
During a bond hearing on Monday, Ward’s son, Zachary Ward, expressed his heartbreak over the loss of his mother. “This is just wrong,” 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.”
The Investigation
Authorities first began to investigate the couple’s disappearance when relatives reported them missing. On Saturday, a deputy spotted a submerged vehicle at a boat landing near Lake City. After the vehicle was recovered, authorities traced its license plates to Antwine, which led them to his property in South Carolina. Once there, they discovered the grisly scene of Christy Ward’s remains.
The Florence County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that the investigation into Ward’s death is still ongoing. The results of the autopsy will help determine whether further charges will be filed against Antwine. At this point, he is only facing charges related to the desecration of human remains.
Moving Forward
The case has shocked both the local communities in North Carolina and South Carolina, as authorities work to piece together the details of what happened to Christy Ward. As the investigation continues, the family of the victims is left to cope with the loss of a loved one in such a horrific manner. The full scope of charges against Charles Antwine will depend on the findings of the autopsy and further investigation into his wife’s death.
