BENNETTSVILLE, S.C. – A man with a learning diability has been released after being charged in the death of Bennettesville woman and the disappearence of her 8-year-old daughter.

Officials with the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office have charged another man — Jejauncey Fernando Harrington, 32, of Bennettsville with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime in the May 5 stabbing death of Ella Lowery, 36, on Craig Circle. Harrington was also charged with kidnapping in the diappearence of Lowery’s daughter, Iyana.

On Sunday, officials following a tip located a body near New Bridge road between McColl and Clio.

“The body was recovered in an area off New Bridge Road,” Sheriff Charles Lemmon said. “An autopsy and forensics tests will be needed to make a positive identification.”

The Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston will perform the autopsy on Tuesday.

Authiorities have not connected the body with the disappearence and Lemmon said finding the child remains a priority.

“This is a major break in the case, but there is still much work to do,” Lemmon said. “We are keeping our focus on finding Iyana and bringing her home.”

According to reports by WPDE, DNA recovered from a cigarette at the scene of the crime matches that of the DNA profile of Harrington. The television station also said that phone records, witnesses and Facebook records prove there was a relationship between Harrington and Lowery.

Charges against Dewayne Jermaine Bright, 36, of Bennettsville were dropped on Friday. Bright had originally been charged with the crimes.

On Thursday officers from the Laurinburg Police Department, Wagram Police Department, and Scotland County Sheriff’s Office assisted Marlboro County in searching Scotland County for a vehicle connected to the case, according to Major Ruben Castellon of the Scotland County Sheriff’s Office.

Harrington was detained in the Marlboro County Detention Center.

If convicted on the charges, Harrington could spend the rest of his life in prison. Felony murder carries a minimum sentence of 30 years, and felony kidnapping carries the same minimum. Possession of a weapon during a violent crime carries a five year minimum, according to Lemmon.

Harrington
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_harrington-jejauncey.jpgHarrington

https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_Ayana-2.jpg
Body found between McColl, Clio

By Beth Lawrence

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Reach Beth Lawrence 910-506-3169