OCEAN ISLE BEACH, N.C. (WECT) – An Ocean Isle Beach man is back in Brunswick County after being arrested on murder charges in South Carolina.
According to the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), 56-year-old Charles Edward Antwine Jr was arrested in Florence County on June 7 in connection with the death of Christie Thomas Ward.

Antwine was transferred to the Brunswick County Detention Center on July 29, stated BCSO.
Antwine has been charged with:
- Murder
- Destruction of Body/Removal of Contents of an Unattended Death
According to WMBF, Antwine and Ward were reported missing by loved ones in early June.
A Florence County deputy found a car registered to Antwine in the Lynches River near a boat landing at Riverside Cemetery. The car was recovered with no one inside, reports WMBF.
After finding the car, deputies performed a property check of Antwines’ address in Lake City, South Carolina. Deputies detected a strange smell coming from the home and obtained a search warrant.
Antwine was found inside, along with containers of cut-up body parts, reports WMBF.
BCSO says this case remains under investigation and no further details will be released at this time.
Antwine remains in custody under no bond.
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