Warning: Graphic content may be disturbing to some readers.
RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – The case against a Richland County 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 New Hope Home Solutions, the facility’s owner — Brittany Reynolds-Jackson — and the South Carolina Department of Mental Health (SCDMH) are responsible for his death.
According to documents, Jared 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, after the facility was recommended by SCDMH. The goal was for Jared to learn independent living and socialization skills.
On March 20, 2023, Peggy picked Jared up for a visit. 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 Jared learn independent living skills.
Jared was dropped off at the facility later that evening; it was the last time his family saw him alive. When his grandfather arrived to pick Jared 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 cruelty to animals and arson to cover up killing his family dogs. He was interviewed during the search for Jared, and reportedly displayed strange behavior that was reported to law enforcement.
Months after Jared’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 murder, and told police that he also killed Jared, providing “specific, graphic details as to how the murder was conducted.”
Cantrell reportedly told police that he was compelled by his “alternate personality” to murder the victims and consume parts of their bodies “so he could gain their power.” While Jared’s body was never found, an autopsy of the second victim was consistent with Cantrell’s description of the murder.
A grand jury indicted Cantrell for both murders. Those charges are still pending.
The lawsuit brought by Jared’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.”
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 Jared’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 that offer was rejected by SCDMH.
A jury trial roster meeting has been scheduled for April 7.
Sister station News 2 has reached out to SCDMH for comment, we are awaiting a response.
