A South Carolina man has been arrested in connection to his mother’s death after authorities found what they believe to be her in a burn pit.
Justin Queen has been charged with murder and destruction of human remains more than a year after his mother, Christy Dunn, was reported missing, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office announced in a Friday, August 28 news release.
The charges stem from last summer, when Dunn’s employer hadn’t seen her for about a week and asked the sheriff’s office to conduct a welfare check on June 27, 2025, according to authorities.
Deputies were unable to locate Dunn, 52, at her Anderson County home, but found her car and personal belongings, authorities said. She had lived at the South Carolina residence with Queen, now 32, and Queen’s son.
“From the beginning of the investigation, Detectives identified several concerning circumstances surrounding Dunn’s disappearance and began an extensive investigation,” the sheriff’s office said, including the discovery that Dunn’s debit card was still in use after her disappearance.
In July 2025, investigators searched Dunn’s property for human remains and found what they suspected were human bones in a burn pit, according to authorities. Their suspicions were confirmed as correct by a Clemson forensic anthropologist.
Additional remains were found on Dunn’s property after another search warrant was carried out, the sheriff’s office said.
As a result of a monthslong investigation, detectives believe an assault occurred in Dunn’s home before her “body was subsequently taken to the burn pit,” according to authorities.
“Based on the totality of the evidence, Detectives believe the burned remains recovered from the property are those of Christy Dunn,” the sheriff’s office said.
During the investigation, detectives spoke with witnesses who said they had seen Queen with his mother in the woods ahead of her disappearance, according to the sheriff’s office.
In addition to witness statements, authorities said other evidence linking Queen to Dunn’s death included financial records, phone records and surveillance footage.
“After an extensive review of the evidence, the 10th Circuit Solicitor’s Office determined that sufficient probable cause existed to seek charges against Queen,” the sheriff’s office said.
Authorities didn’t specify a potential motive for the alleged murder.
Queen was arrested on Thursday, August 27, and booked in the Anderson County Detention Center, according to records viewed by Us. He’s been denied bond ahead of a bond hearing.
It wasn’t immediately clear whether Queen had retained legal counsel.
“The investigation remains ongoing, and additional information may be released as it becomes available,” the sheriff’s office said.
