Authorities in South Carolina believe they may have found the body of a mother who went missing four years ago, allegedly murdered by her boyfriend.
Krystal Anderson, 30, disappeared in August 2022 in Aiken County, leaving behind her four children.
Family Speaks Out
Her sister, Shadria Smothers, shared her heartbreak at the time. “I try not to think the worst, but sometimes I do,” she told WRDW. “She was a great mom, a great sister. She’s my baby sister. She would always contact someone if she needed help. She has never done anything like this before.”
Smothers also urged anyone with information to come forward: “If you know anything, please, I’m begging on behalf of her children. Life is really unfair to a family that’s in the dark and grieving over a loved one.”
Investigation and Arrest
Anderson’s boyfriend, Tony Berry, was later arrested and charged with kidnapping and murder after her DNA was allegedly found in the trunk of his car, which had been discovered burned in a wooded area in Newberry County.
Discovery of Human Remains
Recently, Aiken County deputies reported finding human remains buried off Highway 37 near Blackville. DNA testing is still ongoing, but authorities believe the remains may belong to Krystal Anderson.
Private investigator Chandra Cleveland said, “There were belongings found on those remains that were identical to Krystal’s belongings. It was devastating … it’s just like the first day it happened when she went missing.” She added, “Maybe now we can give her a final resting place, and her children will be able to deal with the fact that their mother is not coming back.”
Impact on the Children
Berry’s trial, originally scheduled for next week, has been postponed due to the discovery of the remains. Meanwhile, Anderson’s children have been living in separate homes with relatives.
Smothers explained the difficulties for the kids: “I think the hardest thing for them is being separated. They do FaceTime each other a lot during the week, and they are able to talk to each other. The youngest one, who’s 6, went from being raised with siblings to being raised like an only child—it’s very hard for her.”
