Found Deceased NC - Kristen Ashley Bennett, 24, Carteret County, 14 Aug 2018 *Arrest*

[LaylaD]

I just turned on the news. This is what I suspected would happen from the start. It made no sense to me that she would have left on foot, leaving behind a car, to walk on a narrow and heavily traveled road and not be seen, by anyone. Just not plausible. I'm so heartbroken for her family and especially for her son. He not only lost his mother but he lost her by the hands of his father. RIP Kristen

I so wanted a different outcome. I started losing hope after I found evidence of drug use/abuse and domestic violence in the BF's family, but prayed that KB would be found alive. Heartbroken for her family and son.

 

[DocBrew]

Statement from Sheriff's Office: Carteret County Sheriff's Office

MEDIA RELEASE
Release Date: September 4, 2018

Newport man charged in girlfriend’s disappearance

On 09/04/2018, Carteret County Deputies arrested Lewis Victor Branche III, also known as Trey Branche, 26, of Hibbs Road, Newport in connection with the disappearance of his girlfriend of six-years Kristen Ashley Bennett.

Kristen Bennett, 24, was reported as a missing person by her mother on Thursday, 08/16/2018, two days after she was last seen with Branche at their residence on Hibbs Road in Newport. On the same day of the missing person report, detectives interviewed Branche and conducted a search of the home. Since then detectives have been investigating countless pieces of information and have interviewed numerous witnesses.

On 08/23/2018 the Sheriff’s Office and the NCSBI executed a search warrant on the home and vehicles owned and operated by Bennett and Branche. Physical evidence obtained from the search warrant combined with nearby digital evidence and additional physical evidence obtained from a nearby wooded area indicate that Bennett is deceased. Investigators have not yet located Bennett’s body.

Branche is currently being held in the Carteret County Jail with no bond charged with one open count of murder and one count of concealing/failing to report her death. Investigators are working with Bennett’s family and will be continuing the search for Kristen’s body. Branche is no longer cooperating with officials and is scheduled for his first court appearance Wednesday morning. As the investigation continues, no further details can be provided about the case at this time.

This sounds like they have a good bit of physical evidence as well as a nearby camera capturing him - and perhaps even him with her in a way that indicates she was lifeless - on it. Also suggests the warrant was quite fruitful in obtaining evidence.

My question is if they have evidence that she is deceased from a nearby wooded area, have they searched that area thoroughly for her remains?

JMO

 

[LaylaD]

This sounds like they have a good bit of physical evidence as well as a nearby camera capturing him - and perhaps even him with her in a way that indicates she was lifeless - on it. Also suggests the warrant was quite fruitful in obtaining evidence.

My question is if they have evidence that she is deceased from a nearby wooded area, have they searched that area thoroughly for her remains?

JMO

Thank you ... I couldn't figure out what 'digital evidence' meant. My mind went to the gruesome, in that he took a photo of her. I'm glad there are other, more logical ways to obtain digital evidence.

 

[Alethea]

I think searching for remains would be next. I wonder what they mean by digital evidence. Premeditation maybe? A gf?

 

[Alethea]

Thank you ... I couldn't figure out what 'digital evidence' meant. My mind went to the gruesome, in that he took a photo of her. I'm glad there are other, more logical ways to obtain digital evidence.

Me too, Layla. I think caught on camera is a good thought. Other possible digital evidence could be phone pings that disproved his story, computer evidence like searches for how to dispose of a body, etc. Either way I hope they get him good, her poor family has been distraught and he knew the whole time.

 

[insearchoflight]

Since then detectives have been investigating countless pieces of information and have interviewed numerous witnesses.

Numerous witnesses, that’s interesing

 

[OldCop]

This is very sad. I have had a very bad feeling about the bf almost since the beginning of this case. He was the one who last saw her, he had an argument with her, he apparently made up the info about the mysterious Rhino to send poor Kristen’s dad on a wild goose chase, and as a few of you have mentioned, he never came out in public or SM begging for her return. His FB page with the guns as a profile pic was just another bit that made me suspicious of him. That page was still up this morning as I would check first thing each day to see if she had been found. A sad thing for me is that CB would always include the bf in his pleas and prayers. If he, CB, also had his suspicions, he hid them well, maybe at the request of the police.
I wonder when she was actually killed. I’m sure police have pulled the bf’s work records to see if he worked that day. Since we never found out if anyone actually saw her the day she went missing, I’m wondering if he killed her sometime during the night before.
I hope the family will have some peace now although I know they will want their daughter, sister, mother home. Hopefully this sad excuse for a man will at least have the decency to reveal where he put Kristen’s body.
RIP Kristen

 

[OldCop]

This sounds like they have a good bit of physical evidence as well as a nearby camera capturing him - and perhaps even him with her in a way that indicates she was lifeless - on it. Also suggests the warrant was quite fruitful in obtaining evidence.

My question is if they have evidence that she is deceased from a nearby wooded area, have they searched that area thoroughly for her remains?

JMO

There is a church near their home as well as several other businesses that may have captured something on camera. There is also a landfill, several ponds, and the Croatian National Forest abutting Hibbs Rd.

 

[DocBrew]

I wonder when she was actually killed. I’m sure police have pulled the bf’s work records to see if he worked that day. Since we never found out if anyone actually saw her the day she went missing, I’m wondering if he killed her sometime during the night before.

Indeed, and now knowing that she was evidently killed in or around the house, and knowing the occupants of said house (including a child), I hope (for their emotional sake) that they weren't witnesses. I would not be surprised if it was gunshot, and the motive was due to her wanting to leave. There is always some truth to the murderer's tale, and I imagine that Rhino may indeed exist - but as a catalyst instead of a suspect.

JMO.

 

[DocBrew]

There is also a landfill, several ponds, and the Croatian National Forest abutting Hibbs Rd.
View attachment 145656

And unfortunately, all are perfect places to hide a body. Hopefully the church and local businesses captured some of his movements and they can hone in on the location. The sooner they find her, the more evidence they will be able to gather.

JMO.

 

[jkloc420]

sad results

 

[LaylaD]

Updated article, reporting on today's (9/5/18) court appearance. Next appearance is scheduled for 9/21/18.

Boyfriend charged with murder in disappearance of Kristen Bennett (updated)

Following the court appearance, Sheriff Buck said Mr. Branche is not cooperating with authorities at this time. The sheriff's office has reason to believe he knows the location of Ms. Bennett's undiscovered body, so the investigation is active and ongoing.

District Attorney Scott Thomas said the office cannot reveal many specific details of the investigation at this time, but said there is sufficient evidence to believe Mr. Branche committed the alleged crimes.

bbm

 

[OldCop]

It looks like Trey Branche deleted his FB account after his arrest. His cover photo was a bunch of guns on a bed and his latest post was telling people where to put their opinions of him in a...graphic cartoon.

I believe that post you’re referring to were the signs of Trey Branche start to crack under pressure. Evidently he was hearing the whispers of people who believed he was involved in Kristen’s disappearance. Also shows what a nasty person he was.

 

[OldCop]

“Trey Branche is no longer cooperating.” Big surprise. He’s been advised to keep his mouth shut. Now he and his attorneys will look at the state’s case to see how strong it is. If it is weak he’ll try for the “no body, no proof of death” defense. If it is strong, which I believe it is based on what we’re hearing on msm, he will use leading LE to the body as a bargaining chip. He’s facing life without parole and will try for a reduced sentence.
JMO

 

[LaylaD]

It appears he stopped cooperating awhile ago...

Boyfriend of missing Newport woman held without bond

"We believe he knows where Kristen is and he has not told us," Carteret County Sheriff Asa Buck said. "So we have to go out and find her using information that is available to us and requesting the public's help on that as well."

Buck said Branche stopped cooperating with officials days ago, which led to a search warrant being executed on Aug. 23. At least one vehicle was taken from the residence as evidence.

 

[insearchoflight]

From that new report they are seeking the public’s help in locating body:

Boyfriend of missing Newport woman held without bond

Looking for anyone who saw Mr. Branche’s car anywhere suspicious. I know they confiscated his car so perhaps they found evidence there. Just speculating.

I really would like to know the area they discovered evidence, the “nearby wooded area”. Presumably they’ll search there.

 

[cybervampira]

Video at link:

UPDATE: Boyfriend charged in missing girlfriend's murder makes first appearance

A Carteret County man accused by deputies in the murder of his missing girlfriend went before a judge for the first time this morning.

 

[Alethea]

The DA said "there is a significant amount of evidence"

UPDATE: Boyfriend charged in missing girlfriend's murder makes first appearance

 

[CasesNeedClosing]

The DA said "there is a significant amount of evidence"

UPDATE: Boyfriend charged in missing girlfriend's murder makes first appearance

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This is what happens when they call in all the resources from larger agencies to come in and help out with searches. Those agencies have more experience, technical acumen, and better equipment. Thanks Carteret County for not waiting to act.

 

[OldCop]

Candle lit Vigil for Kristen Bennett