Two bodies found in burned barn identified as missing Wilmington women

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Wilmington Police Department confirms the bodies found in a burning shed in Columbus County are Tiffany Cartwright and Eva Jo Jones, the daughter and mother reported missing Monday. At the time, neither women had been heard from since midday Friday and had missed church and work obligations.

Eva Jo Jones and Tiffany Cartwright (Photos: Wilmington Police Dept)

Cartwright and Jones were last seen Friday.

At the time, police said they could be between Wilmington and Myrtle Beach.

Late Monday night, firefighters in Columbus County responded to a brush fire on Silver Spoon Road in the Whiteville area around 9:15 p.m. North Whiteville Fire Department and Evergreen Fire responded to the call.

Inside a burning barn, they found two bodies. Columbus County said it was a criminal investigation. It has since been ruled an arson.

Yesterday, Holly Tree Elementary sent home a letter to parents informing them a school custodian had died. Assistant Superintendent Rick Holliday confirmed the letter was in reference to Cartwright, who worked as the school.

Both women attended Life Community Church in Wilmington. The church held a prayer vigil for the women on Wednesday night.

Last night, pastor Tim Blevins posted a video on Facebook about the family’s loss.

https://www.facebook.com/timblevins1/videos/10210893348323238/

The day after the fire, the husband of Jones’s surviving daughter, Sara Harmon, shot and killed himself in Horry County, SC. According to an official report, Harmon was upset because his wife had left him.

No official word yet on whether his suicide might be tied to Cartwright’s death.

Investigators expect to have more information in the coming days.

Wilmington Police are still searching for Jones’s 2002 silver Saturn SL1 with NC tag YZA5017. This is a photo of a comparable vehicle.

Photo of comparable car that is missing. (Photo: Wilmington Police)

If you have any information on the car, call Wilmington Police or use Text-A-Tip by texting “CRIMES” and starting the text with “Tip708”.

A joint investigation is being conducted by the Wilmington Police Department, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office, Horry County Police Department and NC State Bureau of Investigation.