Deputies reveal new details on murder of Aiken County mom

AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - Authorities have arrested the son of a suspect in the murder of an Aiken County woman.

In August, Krystal Anderson was reported missing from her home in Aiken County. No one has heard from her since Aug. 20.

Aiken County authorities earlier this week charged Anderson’s boyfriend, Tony Berry, with her murder, then they arrested his son Darius Berry on Thursday and charged him with accessory after the fact to murder. The son is accused of helping destroy the evidence.

Bond was set at $20,000 Thursday afternoon for Darius Berry, but his father hasn’t been granted bond. On Dec. 19, we learned Darius was released on bond. He will have an ankle monitor and cannot the victim’s family.

Also on Thursday, a newly released arrest warrant for Tony Berry revealed more details on what led to the murder charge even though Anderson’s body hasn’t been found.

The arrest warrant for Tony Berry states that authorities believe he killed Anderson between 9:30 and 11:30 p.m. Aug. 20 in the area of 233 Seivern Road in Wagener.

On Aug. 20, witnesses saw him in a verbal altercation with Anderson, according to the arrest warrant. He was later seen placing her into the trunk of his 2007 Cadillac CTS, according to the warrant.

That car was later found burned in Newberry County.

Authorities say in the arrest warrant that search warrants and tracking of cellphone data and internet searches led them to these conclusions:

• Tony Berry purchased numerous items that could be used to aid in the disposal of human remains, including a gas-powered auger, shovel, premixed fuel, plastic coveralls, gloves, a box of trash bags, as well as a large roll of plastic.
• The defendant was in the area during this time frame, along with his son, Darius Berry.
• Additional evidence has been found showing that the defendant researched how to carry out this crime and leave no evidence of it.

Darius Berry is suspected of knowingly assisting his father with the destruction of evidence.

According to an arrest warrant released Friday, Darius Berry burned the Cadillac on Aug. 28 between 2:40 and 4:30 a.m.

“Additionally, evidence has been found showing a coordinated effort between the defendant and his father, to conceal and withhold evidence and information related to this murder,” the arrest warrant states.

Anderson’s family came face to face with Tony Berry on Monday when a judge denied bond on a kidnapping charge.

“He didn’t look at us,” Anderson’s sister Shadira Smothers said. “And I would assume he can’t because he knows the truth.”

EARLIER COVERAGE:

• Bond denied for boyfriend accused in disappearance of mom
• 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

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