South Carolina police were following up on a missing persons report when the case took a gut-wrenching turn that shocked even the most seasoned investigators. What began as a standard search for a man and woman reported missing soon escalated into a full-blown horror show, ending in a gruesome discovery inside a Florence County home.
Charles Antwine Jr., 56, was reported missing alongside 44-year-old Christy Ward by concerned family members in Brunswick County, North Carolina. When deputies located a vehicle nearly submerged in the Lunches River near Riverside Cemetery, the case took a dark turn. The car was registered to Antwine, and suspicions quickly escalated.
Image Source: Florence County Sheriff’s Office
Hoping to locate the missing pair, deputies traveled to Antwine’s Florence County residence to conduct a wellness check. But the home greeted investigators with something deeply unsettling. The officers were hit with an overwhelming foul odor seeping from within. The house was completely silent when officers knocked on the door. No one answered.
Taking no chances, law enforcement secured a search warrant. Once inside, the horror was undeniable. Antwine was sitting quietly and casually on his couch. But just like something straight out of a horror movie, he wasn’t alone. Surrounding him were several large plastic bins, sealed tightly with tape. What deputies allegedly discovered inside those bins would make even seasoned officers shudder.
South Carolina Police Discover Human Remains
Deputies say the containers held human body parts, dismembered and stored in a fashion eerily reminiscent of a horror film. While authorities believe the remains may belong to Christy Ward, official identification is pending the results of a full autopsy.
Florence County officials say the case is still under active investigation. Additional charges are expected as more evidence is processed. For now, Antwine has been charged with desecration of human remains.
Appearing in court for a bond hearing, Antwine arrived in a wheelchair due to a reported broken leg. Emotions ran high as Ward’s son addressed the court, demanding justice and mourning the devastating loss of his mother. The judge denied bond, passing the decision on to the circuit court. Antwine is due back in court on August 19, 2025.
This case has rocked the quiet South Carolina community to its core. What began as a hopeful search for two missing people ended in a sickening revelation. One that signals something far more sinister. As investigators peel back the layers of this chilling case, the full scope of what happened inside that house of horrors remains yet to be seen.
Joshua Dale 
Nina Franklin 
Kaitlyn Alexandra 
