Despite extensive searches, Jared Ondrea’s body has never been located, yet he was officially declared dead in 2023. This grim declaration followed a shocking confession from Marc-Anthony Cantrell, who provided harrowing details surrounding the circumstances of Jared’s death, leaving his family and the community in disbelief and mourning.

In addition to confessing to the murder of Jared Ondrea, Cantrell has also acknowledged involvement in the disappearance and killing of Deshea Butler, another resident from the same facility. The revelation of these crimes has left the community grappling with fear and uncertainty about the safety of mental health care environments.

According to WIS 10, a lawsuit has been filed by Jared’s grandmother, Peggy, against the South Carolina Department of Mental Health (SCDMH) and New Hope Residence Solutions LLC, the facility involved in this tragic case. The suit alleges that SCDMH recommended New Hope to the family without disclosing that it also functioned as a halfway house for released convicted criminals, which raises critical questions about the vetting process for residents.

The lawsuit further claims that Cantrell had a “dangerous criminal history,” which included allegedly setting fire to his grandmother’s home to conceal the brutal killing of the family’s three dogs, described by authorities as a grotesque scene. This alarming background raises concerns about the facility’s responsibility in placing vulnerable individuals in harm’s way.

The lawsuit describes Cantrell as “hard to miss” due to his extreme appearance; during his time in prison, he had satanic horns tattooed on his forehead, which he claimed symbolized his devotion to evil. This chilling detail has heightened fears regarding the safety and mental state of residents within the facility.

According to the family’s account, they last saw Jared alive on March 20, 2023 — just one month after he had moved into the facility. His grandmother had taken him to a nearby lake for a brief outing, returning him to the facility before the evening curfew. This moment of normalcy would soon turn into a nightmare for his family.

When his grandparents returned two days later, on March 22, they were alarmed to find Jared had not come outside to greet them, and no staff members at the facility responded to their knocks. It wasn’t until the following day that they received a call from New Hope, revealing that Jared had been reported missing since they dropped him off, which left the family in a state of panic and confusion.

His disappearance was described by his family as “alarmingly out-of-character” for Jared, who was known to prefer spending time alone in his room rather than engaging in social interactions. Despite extensive searches and efforts to locate him, his body was never found, deepening the mystery surrounding his tragic fate.

Four months following Jared’s disappearance, another resident of the same facility, Deshea Butler, also went missing. Butler, who was identified by police as Cantrell’s “roommate,” was reported missing on July 4, and her body was subsequently discovered on July 6. The troubling pattern of disappearances has raised urgent questions regarding the safety and supervision of residents within these facilities.

According to the lawsuit, video surveillance footage played a crucial role in leading to Cantrell’s arrest for Butler’s murder on July 9. It was during police questioning that he allegedly confessed to killing Jared as well, providing specific and gruesome details about the crime and how he disposed of Jared’s body, further deepening the tragedy of this case.

The lawsuit claims that Cantrell told authorities he murdered Jared by placing a bag over his head and strangling him with a rope. He then reportedly concealed Jared’s remains in a Rubbermaid bin, transporting them outside and discarding them in a municipal garbage can, where they have never been recovered, leaving the family in anguish over the unresolved fate of their loved one.

Jared’s family believes that Cantrell was “undoubtedly emboldened by his successful murder of Jared” when he proceeded to kill Deshea, who they contend was also strangled before her body was disposed of nearby, highlighting a troubling and violent pattern that demands immediate attention and action from authorities.

Cantrell reportedly told police, as detailed in the lawsuit, that he believed his alternate persona, “Robert Baldwin,” ordered him to kill both Jared and Deshea. He allegedly confessed to mutilating Jared by severing one of his ears and both of Deshea’s ears, claiming he consumed them “to gain their power.” This deeply disturbing admission raises serious concerns about his mental stability and the environment within the facility.

Cantrell was formally charged with Jared’s murder in August 2023, marking a significant development in the case and bringing some measure of accountability for the family who has suffered immeasurable loss.

“Unfortunately, all of this was preventable,” the lawsuit states. “Cantrell — who exhibited every warning sign of a budding serial killer — should never have been placed in a home with vulnerable adults.” This statement highlights the systemic failures that allowed for this tragedy to unfold and the urgent need for reform in mental health care facilities.

“Based on knowledge and belief, SCDMH failed to take appropriate measures to address Cantrell’s behavior or prevent the obvious threat he posed to the public and those living in close proximity,” the lawsuit further claims, underscoring the serious implications of negligence in this case.

An attorney representing New Hope stated that his clients had expressed concerns about Cantrell to both law enforcement and SCDMH. “It appears, sadly, that some of the appropriate professionals did not fulfill their responsibilities, which I believe inadvertently facilitated the tragic events that occurred,” they commented, indicating a failure in oversight and responsibility.

The SCDMH has not commented on the lawsuit at this time, leaving many questions unanswered about accountability and the safety of residents in mental health facilities.