Authorities have confirmed that the human remains found in a Lake City home last week belong to Christie Thomas Ward, a 50-year-old woman from Ocean Isle, North Carolina.
The Florence County Coroner, Keith von Lutcken, announced on Monday that Ward died from multiple blunt force trauma to the head, as per WPDE.
This heartbreaking update in this case has shocked communities in both South Carolina and North Carolina.
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| Christie Thomas Ward |
On June 8, 2025, concerned relatives reported Ward and her husband, Charles Antwine Jr., missing from their Brunswick County home.
Then a Few days later, on June 14, a Florence County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) deputy patrolling near Riverside Cemetery Road spotted a submerged vehicle in the Lynches River.
After recovering the car, police discovered it was empty with no one inside.
They then traced the South Carolina license plate back to Antwine, whose address was listed on Stillwater Road near Lake City.
When deputies from the local police department arrived at the property, they noticed an unusual smell.
They knocked on the door several times, but no one answered.
So, they got a search warrant —and what they found inside was truly horrifying, as reported by News Nation.
Antwine, 56, was found sitting on a couch, and in the same house were three plastic containers with himan remains, tightly sealed with tape.
Forensic experts later confirmed the remains belonged to Ward, and they also revealed that she died from a severe head injury.
Antwine was quickly arrested and charged with desecration of human remains.
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| Charles Antwine Jr |
During a bond hearing on June 17, 2025, Florence County Magistrate Mona Lisa Andrews denied bond due to the severity of the case.
Florence County Sheriff T.J. Joye called it one of the "most horrific cases" his office has ever handled.
"I’ve had my investigators out there all day yesterday, and it's one of the worst we’ve ever seen," Joye said. "It’s something like out of a horror movie. Very horrific," she added.
Ward’s sons attended Antwine’s bond hearing, where one of them, Zachard Ward, emotionally addressed the court.
"This is just wrong. My mother is not a bad person," he said. "No matter what she's done, she's overcome so much. She just lost her father, and he was the only one left that she had other than us."
Antwine remains in custody as criminal investigators continue piecing together what led to this gruesome crime.
As the investigation unfolds, one thing is clear: Christie Thomas Ward’s family is seeking justice, and law enforcement is determined to provide answers.
We’ll continue to follow this story as more details emerge. For updates on this case and other high-profile cases, sign up for our free newsletter here.
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