The mother of slain South Carolina woman is speaking out, following the arrest of her husband on murder charges.
In an interview with FITS News, Cecilia Varvara, the mother of 20-year-old Jessica, explained how she had to wait two months before finding out her daughter was missing.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, the arrest affidavit stated that Brandon Barnes is accused of killing Jessica by “using his arms to strangle her to death.”
Varvara’s suspicions began early. She noticed that the messages she received from Jessica didn’t sound right, with familiar words were misspelled—like “mama” written as “Momma.”
On September 10, after not hearing from her daughter for several weeks, Varvara filed a missing person report with Pendleton police.
“I know from the beginning that they did something to her,” she said.
Along with Brandon Barnes, police arrested the couple’s roommates, identified as Kendall Mims and Victoria Tippett, are charged with being accessories after the fact, obstruction of justice, and failure to report a crime.
Police said Tippett saw Brandon Barnes killing Jessica, but failed to call for help. Instead, according to police, she helped him dispose of the body.
She “did admit to disposing of the victim’s body to obstruct justice of murder by defendant Brandon Barnes,” the affidavit read.
Mims, who reportedly had multiple opportunities to report the murder to law enforcement and “did fail to do so,” is “also accused of helping Barnes dispose of the body.”
Cecilia Varvara, a domestic abuse survivor, had misgivings about her Jessica’s relationship early on, claiming Brandon Barnes often cut Jessica off from her family.
It’s unclear when Victoria Tippett became involved, but by July, Jessica wanted out of the home, according to what Varvara told FITS News. Jessica briefly left but soon returned. Days later, Barnes confessed to killing her while Tippett allegedly watched.
Pendleton police said Brandon Barnes admitted he killed Jessica “using his arms to strangle her to death,” on August 2.
Varvara said her focus now is on raising awareness about domestic abuse.
“If you’re in an abusive relationship, if you’re in a controlling relationship, there is help,” Varvara said.
“I survived, she didn’t – and that’s why I’m here to speak for her and (on) her behalf.”
All three defendants remain behind bars at the Anderson County Detention Center.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.
[Featured image: Jessica Barnes/Handout]
