SCOTLAND COUNTY, N.C. (WBTW) — Three people are facing murder charges connected to the 2021 disappearance of Brandon Carl Wayne McDonald, the Scotland County Sheriff’s Office announced on Saturday.
Michael Anthony “Blue” Bethea Jr., 32, Shelena Lynn Clark, 37, and LaKeithan “Joe” JuJuan Tyson, 25, have all been charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and concealment of death.
All three are slated to make initial appearances in Scotland County District Court at 9 a.m. on Monday.
A combined task force involving the Scotland County Sheriff’s Office and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation have worked the case since McDonald was last seen leaving his home in Clarkton en route to Laurinburg on March 25, 2021.
Detectives began re-examining the case in May.
“After countless hours of continued investigation and newly generated information, the investigation began to move from a missing person to a homicide investigation,” authorities said in a statement.
That development led to the Scotland County District Attorney’s Office offering resources to assist the task force.
According to The Charley Project, a website that tracks missing persons cases, McDonald left his home about 3 a.m. without saying where he was going. His cell phone last pinged in the area of Cooper Street in Laurinburg.
At 7:10 a.m., McDonald called his father to say he was headed back home within the hour, but he was never heard from again. His wrecked pickup truck was found abandoned in Hope Mills — roughly 37 miles from Laurinburg.
“We are appreciative of the multiple law enforcement agencies, search and rescue teams, canine units, fire departments and emergency services wo have spent countless hours over the past three years assisting in the investigation,” the Scotland County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
“Additionally, we are grateful for the family members and friends of Brandon Carl Wayne McDonald who never stopped pursuing justice for him,” the department said.
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Lt. E. Haywood at (910) 276-3385, the NCSBI at (800) 334-3000 or Scotland County Crimestoppers at (910) 266-8146.
