Three people arrested and charged with murder of North Carolina man missing since 2021, Scotland County officials say

SCOTLAND COUNTY, NC (WBTW) — Three people face murder charges in connection with the 2021 disappearance of Brandon Carl Wayne McDonald, the Scotland County Sheriff’s Office announced Saturday.

Michael Anthony “Blue” Bethea Jr. (32), Shelena Lynn Clark (37) and LaKeithan “Joe” JuJuan Tyson (25) were charged with premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit murder and concealing death.

All three are scheduled to make their first appearance in Scotland County District Court at 9 a.m. on Monday.

A joint task force from the Scotland County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation has been working the case since McDonald was last seen on March 25, 2021, leaving his home in Clarkton en route to Laurinburg.

In May, investigators began re-examining the case.

“After countless hours of continued investigation and newly acquired information, the investigation began to transition from a missing person report to a homicide investigation,” authorities said in a statement.

This development led the Scotland County District Attorney’s Office to offer resources to assist the task force.

According to The Charley Project, a website that tracks missing persons cases, McDonald left his home around 3 a.m. without saying where he was going. His cellphone last beeped in the Cooper Street area of ​​Laurinburg.

At 7:10 a.m., McDonald called his father and said he would be on his way home within the hour, but he was never heard from again. His broken-down pickup truck was found abandoned in Hope Mills – about 37 miles from Laurinburg.

“We are grateful to the numerous law enforcement agencies, search and rescue teams, canine teams, fire departments and emergency services who have spent countless hours over the past three years assisting with the investigation,” the Scotland County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

“In addition, we are grateful to the family members and friends of Brandon Carl Wayne McDonald who never stopped demanding justice for him,” the department said.

Authorities said the investigation is 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.