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ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. (BFMG) — The town of Pendleton, South Carolina has launched a missing persons investigation into the mysterious disappearance of twenty-year-old Jessica Barnes who is described as “bubbly” and a “happy girl.” Jessica’s mother reported her missing to police on September 1st after growing increasingly worried about her daughter who she has not seen nor heard from in nearly two months.
Police Chief Robert Crosby of the Pendleton Police Department confirms the last known sighting of Jessica is believed to be on August 3rd near exit 19 off of Interstate 85. Her mother, Cecilia Varvara says she spoke to her daughter on the morning of August 1st as she was leaving the hospital. She said Jessica told her she was going to a shelter, but police have been unable to find evidence that Jessica ever was seen at a local shelter in the area. Jessica called her mother back at 5:30pm later on August 1st and that few second call was the last time her mother heard Jessica’s voice before the call quickly ended.
A little more than a week later, Jessica’s mom says she received a text message saying Jessica was headed to a friends house, but she doesn’t believe the text to have been sent by her daughter whose phone was disconnected shortly after.
Jessica had aspirations of becoming a school teacher. For the year previous to meeting her husband, Jessica worked in Pendleton at an ice cream shop while living with her mother Cecilia and attended a semester at Tri-county Technical Collage in hopes of achieving her sought after dream of working with students. She evntually went to visit her father in Romania for three months before coming back to Pendleton, South Carolina where she later met and wed her husband Brandon Barnes. Her mom tells us, she had a “crafty” side to her and “loved children so much.”
Speculation on social media substantiated by her mother suggests Jessica Barnes endured alleged abuse from her husband, Brandon Barnes, who was previously convicted in a 2022 case in the District Court of Bangor, Maine. An active “Order of Protection from Abuse” was issued in that case from 2022. Brandon Barnes is reported to be the last person in contact with Jessica before she disappeared nearly two months ago leading many to question why he did not report Jessica missing to police.
No suspects or persons of interest have been named in this case at this time according to the Pendleton Police Department who is leading this investigation.
NAME: Jessica Richard Barnes
AGE: 20
HAIR: Blonde
EYES: Blue/Green
HEIGHT: 5ft 4in
WEIGHT: 185 lbs
MARKINGS: Requires glasses to see. May have a dark colored frame and/or clear framed pair with her.
CLOTHING: Orange T-shirt, Dark Jean Shorts, Flip-Flops, Black Backpack
The oldest of five children, Jessica has always been a pleasant child and kind to others. She is close with her other siblings and her brother Matthew Ursulean (14) of Pendleton, who reached out to our newsroom to add “I was one of the closest persons to Jess before this happened and it’s really stressful; I just want answers faster.” We’re told her father is also eager to confirm Jessica is safe and is staying involved in her case from Romania where he is a national.
Jessica’s mother Cecilia is working tirelessly as an Uber driver, keeping her car stocked with flyers of her missing daughter. She hands them out whenever possible to locals and businesses, hoping to spread the word about Jessica, whom she is desperate to find safe and unharmed.
A Community Prayer Vigil is scheduled for Thursday, September 19th at “Pendleton Square” located at 105 Exchange St, Pendleton, SC at 7pm to bring awareness to Jessica’s story and gather community and public interest in her case.
Prayer Vigil for Missing Person: Jessica Barnes (Pendleton, SC)
The family is seeking the support of the community during this difficult time and hopes that through prayer and unity, Jessica can be brought home safely. Everyone is encouraged to attend and share this event with others.
If you have any information about the disappearance or the whereabouts of Jessica Richard Barnes, you are urged to submit a tip anonymously to Anderson Area Crimestoppers where a reward of $200 is being offered in this case.
Call +1-888-CRIME-SC (274-6372) or Visit andersonareacrimestoppers.com
