ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – The two young women, reportedly involved in helping conceal their roommate’s homicide, made an appearance at the bond hearing this week according to Pendleton Police.
Victoria Tippett and Kendall Mims face charges of being accessories after the fact and obstructing justice for reportedly assisting in the destruction of 20-year-old Jessica Barnes' remains.
Barnes was reported as missing in Anderson County during August 2024. Subsequently, her charred remains were discovered inside a plastic container within a forested section of Pickens County.
According to officers, Barnes was killed by strangulation at the hands of her husband, Brandon Barnes. Tippett and Mims assisted in transporting her body to a site near Lake Hartwell, where they set it on fire, as stated by investigators.
Each of the suspects has stayed at the Anderson County Detention Center since they were taken into custody.
On Monday, Tippett was present at the circuit court for a bond hearing. During this hearing on Monday, prosecutors contended that they consider Tippett to be both dangerous to the public and likely to flee.
The judge rejected Tippett’s request for bail but allowed her to resubmit the application after six months.
According to officials, all three suspects went to various states prior to being apprehended.
At the hearing, the state mentioned that SLED placed a surveillance camera at the location where Barnes' body was set ablaze. The video from this camera apparently captured all three defendants.
Tippett's defenders stated that she possesses a Certified Nursing Assistant certification and has no history of violent behavior.
The judge is considering the petition and plans to announce a verdict later this week.
Mims attended a bond hearing in circuit court on Thursday. While the state expressed concerns about her potentially being a flight risk, they also noted that Mims had been cooperating with investigators throughout the probe.
Reportedly, Mims confessed to assisting in the disposal of her roommate’s body; however, she was not present during the killing of Jessica Barnes, according to officials.
The defense stated during the hearing that Mims bore a child with Brandon Barnes, though she was pregnant prior to meeting Jessica. They also informed the court that Brandon Barnes managed Mims' money and derived pleasure from mistreating animals.
The judge approved bail for Mims, setting the amount at $75,000. Upon release, she will be required to wear an ankle bracelet and must avoid all communication with her fellow defendants.
