Bond denied for boyfriend accused in disappearance of mom

WAGENER, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - Bond was denied for a man accused of kidnapping his Aiken County girlfriend who’s been missing since Aug. 20, raising concerns on the part of her family.

Krystal C. Anderson was last seen outside her home on Aug. 20 and was reported missing by her family on Aug. 23.

Her boyfriend, Tony Berry, was arrested Wednesday night at the Executive Inn, 1107 Harbor Drive in West Columbia. A tipster spotted Berry and called authorities soon after an arrest warrant was issued for him, Aiken County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Eric Abdullah told NBC News.

After initially being held in Lexington County jail, Berry was transferred to Aiken County, where he was booked into jail on a kidnapping charge.

Bond was denied, said Abdullah, who also released the arrest warrant for Berry.

The arrest warrant alleges: “Upon information and belief that on or about August 21, 2022 the defendant, Tony Lee Berry, did unlawfully seize, confine, inveigle, and kidnap the victim, Krystal Anderson. This incident occurring in Aiken County, SC and being in violation of South Carolina Code of Laws as amended.”

“We love you, and we are not going to stop looking for you. We are not going to ever stop looking for you until we bring you home,” said Shadria Smothers, Anderson’s sister.

She told NBC, “Krystal’s cell phone has been found, and they gathered her cell phone about two weeks ago.”

They are frustrated it took 26 days from her disappearance for law enforcement to file an arrest warrant for Berry.

EARLIER COVERAGE:

• Family desperate for information as search continues
• Family fears for Aiken County mom who’s been missing
• Family frustrated by lack of answers on missing mom
• Boyfriend arrested in missing Aiken County mom case

Since the start of the investigation by the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office, deputies believed the mother of four had been in the company of Berry, 49, at her home on Seivern Road in Wagener.

The results of the investigation led investigators to obtain the arrest warrant for Berry.

“When this all started, he was listed as a missing person, as well,” Aiken County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Eric Abdullah said.

That was earlier in the investigation, and Berry came in on Sept. 6 to let deputies know he wasn’t actually missing.

He also wasn’t considered a suspect at that time.

However, Abdullah said, “From that time, things, you know, took a different turn. The nature of our investigation just continued to progress. When we met with him, we weren’t where we are today.”

The family tells us they are relieved Berry is behind bars, and this is a step in the right direction, but the fight to bring Anderson home is far from over.

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