Wife of missing North Carolina Green Beret charged with his murder, deputies say
Mar 29, 2025
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WNCN) — The wife of the Cumberland County Green Beret who has been missing for two months was charged with his murder Friday, deputies said.
Clinton "Clint" Bonnell was reported missing on Jan. 28 after he failed to show up for class at Methodist University. Both the school
and his girlfriend requested wellbeing checks from the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office.
Clinton "Clint" Bonnell
According to the sheriff's office, deputies encountered Bonnell's wife, 50-year-old Shana Lea Cloud, at his Nursey Road home. She told deputies she last saw him the previous day after they left in separate cars. He was reportedly going to Methodist University to study for a test, Cloud said.
During a search at Bonnell's home the following day, according to warrants, deputies found his car, wallet, and keys at his Butler Nursey Road home that he shares with his wife, but did not find his cell phone.
Deputies said Cloud declined to file a missing person report. An incident report listing Bonnell as missing was completed by his girlfriend. The case was initially assigned to the Major Crimes Unit.
North Carolina Green Beret missing for 2 months; planned to divorce wife before disappearance
On Jan. 30, according to officials, the investigation was reassigned to the the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office Homicide Unit. Deputies returned to Bonnell's home and found his bookbag and laptop. Both had projectile damage, suggesting Bonnell might have been harmed.
According to the sheriff's office, deputies traveled to Virginia. With the assistance of the Virginia State Police, they executed search warrants on Cloud's vehicle, rental property, and cell phone.
Deputies said they also obtained search warrants for digital data, such as cell phone records, video footage, and digital devices to develop a timeline of events surrounding Bonnell's disappearance and his whereabouts before he disappeared.
Warrants reveal Bonnell was planning to divorce Cloud prior to his disappearance. After the search warrant was executed on Cloud, she admitted she had a confrontation with Bonnell over a note from his girlfriend.
Shana Lea Cloud
(Cumberland County Sheriff's Office)
In late February, a Cumberland County man discovered a body with no legs or arms in a pond behind his home on Gainey Road, just three miles from Bonnell's home. Bonnell's sister told CBS 17 the remains were being tested to see if they matched with Bonnell.
On Friday, deputies said the remains were identified as Bonnell. Warrants were subsequently obtained for Cloud's arrest.
Cloud was arrested at her home without incident. She is charged with first-degree murder and concealment of death, according to the sheriff's office.
Deputies said Cloud was not given bond. Cloud is scheduled to make her first appearance in Cumberland County Court on March 31.
Stefanie Firkins, Bonnell's sister, provided the following statement on the arrest:
"I’ve known from the first time I talked to Shana on Jan. 29 she did something to my brother. I am very thankful he was found and Shana Cloud was arrested. I will continue to advocate for my brother and pray that justice is served.
"My brother was an amazing man. What she did to him was pure evil. I am very thankful to Det. McLeod and the entire Cumberland County Sheriff's Office team for working tirelessly on my brother's case." ...read more read less