Family of missing Columbus County woman speaks out as second, third person arrested and charged in case

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — It’s been months since Shanna Denise Perry was last seen alive back on April 26th.

But this week, three people have been arrested in connection with her disappearance.

47-year-old Lance Arrington Sandlin IV of Delco was arrested Monday night and charged with the murder of Shanna. He is currently being held without bond. And on Tuesday, a Delco woman found herself behind bars for her alleged role in the disappearance and murder.

Lori Angel Flowers, 46, is charged with Accessory After the Fact in the murder of Shanna.

The warrant from Columbus County Sheriff’s Office alleges Flowers knew Sandlin had injured Perry, assisted him in denying medical aid to Perry, and then helped hide Perry’s body from witnesses.

A third woman, Sandlin’s current wife, Emily, was arrested on Tuesday afternoon for her alleged role as well.

The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office and the State Bureau of Investigation are still searching for Shanna’s body.

But for Shanna’s family, these arrests are an important first step to getting the closure they’ve desperately needed.

Her mother Tracy Perry said news about the arrests was bittersweet and now, she just wants to be able to bury her daughter.

“I feel numb and then I feel happy,” Perry said. “My emotions are all over the wall. I’ve known from the beginning that them two did it. All I want to do is plead for her body. If they got any emotions about what they did, just tell me where my child is so I can bury her. That’s all I want.”

Christopher Rhodes has helped search for Shanna’s body for months.

He said he was surprised to hear that arrests had been made in a case that many people had been following.

“So it kind of like knocked me off my feet and I was happy that this took place,” Rhodes said. “But all last night, all through the night, even up until 4 o’clock, I received calls and texts from people concerning this.”

Despite what happened, Tracy said she is unable to hate anyone who may have been involved in Shanna’s disappearance.

“You know what I gave forgiveness before it even started,” Perry said. “I can’t hate them no matter what. They got family, they got parents that hurt too for what they did, you know. There’s enough grief for my family and theirs.”

Lance Sandlin and Lori Flowers are being held at the Columbus County Detention Center without bond.