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ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. (BFMG) — Three people have been arrested in connection with the murder of Jessica Barnes, a 20-year-old woman from Pendleton who went missing more than two months ago. Jessica was last seen on August 1, 2024, in a video showing her leaving her mother’s home with her husband, Brandon Richard Barnes.
That video marked the last time Jessica was seen alive by her family. She was there to collect belongings she had previously left, while Brandon waited in his car parked on the street.
Brandon Barnes, 21, along with Kendall Faith Mims, 20, and Victoria Lee Tippett, 20, were taken into custody on Tuesday following a swift operation by law enforcement. Chief Robert Crosby confirmed the arrests late Tuesday, noting that all three are being held at the Anderson County Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing.
Brandon Barnes
21 Years Old
Husband of Jessica Barnes, charged with murder after admitting to strangling her on August 2nd.
Kendall Mims
20 Years Old
Also married to Brandon Barnes. Charged with obstruction of justice, misprision of a felony, accessory after the fact of murder.
Victoria Tippett
20 Years Old
Roommate and admitted lover of Brandon Barnes. Charged with obstruction of justice, misprision of a felony, accessory after the fact of murder.
Her Troubling Disappearance
Jessica’s family reported her missing on September 10th after several days of silence following a series of text messages her mother believed to be from someone else. Her phone was later disconnected prompting her mother to file a missing persons report with the Pendleton Police Department. Her last known contact was with her husband, Brandon. The two had been married for just over a year, and there were no prior public reports of issues between them, although Chief Crosby noted the couple had a disagreement before Jessica’s disappearance.
Details of Brandon’s marriage to another woman, Kendall Mims, surfaced after FITS News found court records indicating he obtained a marriage license with Kendall on July 31, 2023, just 6 months before he married Jessica in the same county, but the 2 never actually wed.
Family members allege Jessica suffered abuse at the hands of Brandon. Since her disappearance, other women have also come forward with similar allegations of abuse by him, as reported by FITS News.
Public Prayer Vigil Service
On September 19th, a public prayer vigil was held to rally support and awareness of her case. The Town of Pendleton showed up in support of the family and flyers were distributed to all of the local businesses in the small town’s square.
A search of an area of interest near Twin Lakes Road on September 19, 2024 led investigators to evidence that resulted in a search warrant being executed at the home the four shared on Laurel Drive on September 20, 2024.
Her family, desperate for answers, searched tirelessly on their own for Jessica and had faith they would find her, but as the days went on, their hope began to dwindle and they began to realize they wouldn’t find Jessica alive as they hoped.
Arrests Made in Connection with Jessica's Death
Barnes, Mims, and Tippett, all of Pendleton, S.C., were arrested Tuesday around 3:30 p.m. at the residence they shared on Laurel Drive. According to Chief Crosby, all three face charges related to Jessica’s murder. Barnes is charged with murder, while Mims and Tippett face charges of accessory after the fact, obstruction of justice, and failure to report a crime. Additional charges may be filed by the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office.
Jessica’s remains were positively identified on Tuesday evening by the Pickens County Coroner’s Office, and odontology experts from Clemson University; her mother, Cecilia Varvaro, was notified by authorities.
In the press conference, Chief Robert Crosby thanked the various agencies and specifically his department for their assistance and dedication to this case. He mentions that the information they were monitoring on social media as part of the investigation, took the department extra time to filter through and caused some delay in the case.
Mayor Crenshaw adds that Jessica’s murder is the first time he’s had to come to terms with something like this in the town of Pendleton since becoming it’s mayor, while he encourages the family to trust in the Lord and everything will work out from there.
The documents related to the case are below, including the arrest warrants and statement from the family of Jessica Barnes.
Chief Robert Crosby says the case is still pending investigation and urges anyone who has information related to the case or suspects, to please contact him directly or call Anderson Area Crimestoppers.
Bond Denied for Suspects
The three charged appeared in a bond hearing Wednesday at 4:00 p.m., where they were ordered to be held without bond.
Brandon appeared first before Judge White who positioned the punishment of life imprisonment or the death penalty if he pleads or is found guilty of his charges. Victoria seemed unremorseful while Kendall displayed few emotions during the hearings.
Their next court appearance is scheduled for December 3, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. in Anderson County.
Jessica's Voice Resounds
Troy Styles of Blunt Force Media, who represents Jessica’s family, read a statement from them at a press conference and the bond hearing:
“We humbly return Jessica into the hands of Jesus, where we know she is now safe from her abuser. Her spirit is renewed, and she is enveloped in the love she longed for so deeply while she was with us on this earth.”
Blunt Force Media Group has been alongside the family representing their media endeavors, coordinating victim services, and channeling communications between investigators and the family on a daily basis to ensure a fluid and rapid response.
“Chief Crosby and all of the other agencies have committed themselves to this case and served this family well throughout this investigation while protecting the prosecution which is of the upmost importance” says Troy Styles.
The family, with the support of Blunt Force Media and journalist Jennifer Wood of FITS News, is dedicated to sharing Jessica’s story to bring attention to domestic violence and help other victims find their way to safety.
Exclusive Interview With Cecilia Varvara
Jessica’s mother sat down with Jennifer Wood of FITS News in an exclusive interview after the three arrests to go over the details of the case and to talk about who Jessica was, her creative spirit, and her devoted love for Jesus.
Cecilia says she wanted to do this interview to continue her efforts to keep Jessica’s story relevant in the media and to bring awareness to her horrifying case during the month of October which is #DomesticViolenceAwareness month.
How You Can Help?
The family has created a GoFundMe at Jessicasvoice.org to help rally support for upcoming expenses and take on #DomesticViolenceAwareness in memory of Jessica.
The family plans a “Celebration of Life” in Troy, Michigan on Saturday, October 12th at 6 o’clock.
Bethesda Romanian Pentecostal Church
2075 E. Long Lake Road
Troy, Michigan 48085
Jessica Barnes Timeline
- 7/31 at 10:00pm - Jessica moved her possessions to her Mom's house and was taken to the hospital by EMS after law enforcement was called to assist.
- 8/1 at 8:30am - Jessica left the hospital on foot and called her mom to say she was going to eat at a shelter nearby.
- 8/1 at 5:50pm - Jessica is seen at her mom's home retrieving her possessions with Brandon Barnes.
- 8/2 - Jessica is strangled to death by Brandon Barnes in the presence of Victoria Tippett at the home the four shared with an infant on Laurel Drive.
- 8/3 - Jessica's mother Cecilia received text messages which she didn't think were from Jessica
- 8/10 - Jessica's mother Cecilia received another series of text messages which she didn't think were from Jessica
- 9/10 - Jessica is reported missing to Pendleton Police Dept. by her mother, Cecilia Varvara.
- 9/17 at 9:00pm - Brandon, Kendall, and Victoria leave town to embark on a road trip to Colorado
- 9/19 at 4:00pm - Police search the path of a well-known recreational Rock Quary along Twin Lakes Road and finds the location of what they believe to be the human remains of Jessica.
- 9/19 at 6:00pm - Family holds prayer vigil in the Town Square of Pendleton, SC.
- 9/20 at 3:00pm -Police serve a search warrant on the property the four shared on Laurel Drive.
- 9/21 at 10:00pm -Brandon, Kendall, and Victoria return to home on Laurel Drive after a brief road trip.
- 9/24 at 10:00pm -Brandon and Victoria sit down for 3-hour interview with Troy S./Blunt Force Media
- 9/25 at 7:45pm -Brandon, Kendall, and Victoria agree to 1.5-hour interview with Troy S./Blunt Force Media with infant child accompanying them.
- 9/26 at 12:10pm -Police seize cell phones of Brandon, Kendall, and Victoria.
- 10/1 at 3:36pm: The three are arrested in a swift operation by law enforcement and taken to Clemson Police Dept. for interrogation.
- 10/1 at 11:00pm: Cecila Varvara is notified of her daughter's positive identification and death by Chief Robert Crosby.
- 10/1 at 11:00pm: Police serve another search warrant on the property located at Laurel Drive.
- 10/2 at 4:00pm - The three appear in a bond hearing on their charges and all are denied bond.
- 12/3 at 9:30am - Brandon, Kendall, and Victoria are set to appear in Anderson County Court on General Sessions charges.
Media Coverage Playlist
The playlist below contains all of the press/media coverage this case received. Print and web coverage from PEOPLE, Nancy Grace, Crime Online, POPCrime, FITS News, US Sun, Post & Courier, WHNS Fox21, Wyff4, WLOS, and others who have helped to gain national attention in this case through coordinated media efforts are available in our press kit.
Playlist
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