LAURINBURG — Human remains recently discovered have been identified as those of Brandon Carl Wayne McDonald, a Bladen County man who vanished in 2021, the Scotland County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday.

The discovery confirms what investigators had already begun treating as a homicide case and comes months after three Scotland County residents were arrested and charged in connection with McDonald’s death.

According to Lt. E. Haywood, the lead investigator for the sheriff’s office, portions of what appeared to be human remains were recovered in a rural area in November. Haywood and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) Special Agents C. Tyner, M. Tart and L. Bennett searched the area alongside deputies, SBI K9 Handler SA Denman and K9 Sheri, and other support personnel

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