Warning: Graphic content may be disturbing to some readers.
RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – The case against a South Carolina mental health facility where a man is accused of murdering and cannibalizing patients could be heading to trial.
A lawsuit filed by the family of 22-year-old Jared Ondrea claims Richland County’s New Hope Home Solutions, facility owner Brittany Reynolds-Jackson and the South Carolina Department of Mental Health (SCDMH) are responsible for his death.
According to documents, Ondrea suffered from mental disabilities and it was recommended that he be placed in an assisted living facility. In 2023, his grandmother, Peggy, placed him in New Hope’s Harper Street facility, which had been recommended by SCDMH. The goal was for Ondrea to learn independent living and socialization skills.
On March 20, 2023, Ondrea was picked up for a visit by his grandmother. Documents state she noticed bruising on his neck and face, but he did not disclose the cause of the bruises. He also appeared to be “unkempt, his hair was not combed, his clothes were dirty, and his nails were long and dirty,” which contradicted the facility’s promise to help him learn independent living skills.
Ondrea was dropped off at the facility later that evening, the last time his family saw him alive. When his grandfather arrived to pick him up for an appointment two days later, he did not show. The next day, the facility called to let his grandmother know that he had been missing since the night he was dropped off. Staff was reportedly alerted to his disappearance by another patient who told them they “should be alarmed that Jared was missing.”
That patient was Marc-Anthony Cantrell, who had a violent history, which included multiple instances of animal cruelty and arson to cover up killing his family dogs. He was interviewed during the search for Ondrea and reportedly displayed strange behavior that was reported to law enforcement.
Months after Ondrea’s disappearance, another resident went missing. This time, Cantrell was caught on video removing that victim’s body from the facility. When interviewed, he confessed to the killing and told police that he also killed Ondrea, providing “specific, graphic details as to how the murder was conducted.”
Cantrell reportedly told police that he was compelled by his “alternate personality” to kill the victims and consume parts of their bodies “so he could gain their power.” While Ondrea’s body was never found, an autopsy of the second victim was consistent with Cantrell’s description of the killing.
A grand jury indicted Cantrell for both killings. Those charges are still pending.
The lawsuit brought by Ondrea’s family blames the facility and SCDMH for allowing what they describe as “a budding serial killer” to be placed in a home with vulnerable adults. Cantrell’s violent history was known to law enforcement and SCDMH, and attorneys argue that “SCDMH failed to take any appropriate steps to treat Cantrell or to otherwise prevent the obvious danger that he posed to the public and to those living in close proximity to him.”
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The lawsuit also claims New Hope did not have the proper license to be operating as a mental health facility, and “had no business housing mental health patients of any sort — much less ones with the type of violent tendencies displayed by Cantrell.” It also faults staff for failing to notice Ondrea’s disappearance for three days, which was allegedly only brought to their attention after the man accused of murdering him told them they should be concerned.
The defendants are being sued for several claims, including negligence, gross negligence, and wrongful death.
The plaintiffs offered to settle with SCDMH for $600,000, but SCDMH rejected the offer.
A jury trial roster meeting has been scheduled for April 7.
Nexstar’s WCBD has reached out to SCDMH for comment and is awaiting a response.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
