Man Sat on Couch With Wife's Body in Plastic Bins

It started with a missing persons report and ended with a discovery straight out of a horror movie. On a quiet road in South Carolina, deputies made a gruesome find that would raise disturbing questions about what really happened to Christy Thomas Ward.

The Search Begins

In early June 2025, concerned family members in Brunswick County, North Carolina, reported two people missing: 56-year-old Charles Edward Antwine and his partner, Christy Thomas Ward. The couple had vanished from their shared home, and no one had heard from them in days.

As investigators dug in, a Florence County deputy stumbled upon a clue 100 miles south. On June 14, while checking a boat landing on the Lynches River in South Carolina, the officer noticed the roof of a submerged car peeking above the water. The vehicle, which was unoccupied, had a South Carolina license plate registered to Antwine.

That discovery led police to a property near Lake City, South Carolina, tied to Antwine. When they arrived to perform a welfare check, deputies noted a foul smell coming from inside the house. Nobody answered the door. Given the circumstances, they quickly obtained a search warrant.

A Horrific Scene

Inside, deputies found Antwine calmly sitting on the couch. But what surrounded him shocked even seasoned officers. Several plastic containers, sealed with tape, were scattered around the home. Inside those containers were dismembered human remains, according to the Florence County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities arrested Antwine at the scene and charged him with desecration of human remains. He is currently being held at the Florence County Detention Center without bond.

Who Were the Victims?

While an official identification of the remains has not yet been released, Florence County Sheriff T.J. Joye has said investigators believe the remains likely belong to Christy Thomas Ward.

Zachary Ward, Christy’s adult son, delivered an emotional statement during Antwine’s bond hearing, describing the pain of potentially losing his mother in such a horrific way.

During the bond hearing, Ward’s son reportedly called for justice, describing his mother’s death as deeply painful, according to WMBF, Law & Crime, and Suggest.

The Investigation Continues

As of now, authorities have not confirmed whether additional charges will be filed. The results of the autopsy - including the cause and manner of death - are expected to guide the next steps in the investigation.

Sheriff Joye described the case as one of the most disturbing he has ever encountered. “It’s something like out of some horror movie. Very horrific,” he told local media, including ABC 15 News.

Despite the grim circumstances, officials remain focused on collecting evidence and ensuring that all legal procedures are followed. No plea has been entered by Antwine, and it remains unclear whether he has retained legal counsel who could speak on his behalf.

Unanswered Questions

At the heart of the case is an eerie silence. Antwine has reportedly not offered an explanation, and investigators are left to piece together the timeline and motive. Were there signs leading up to this? Did neighbors notice anything unusual? What really happened inside that house?

The coming weeks may bring answers - or deepen the mystery.

References: Missing Persons Report Leads Authorities to a Dismembered Body Sealed in Plastic Containers | Man Allegedly Sat On Couch With Wife’s Remains Inside Containers Around Him In Florence County, South Carolina | Florence Co. investigators travel to NC for human remains, missing person case