NEW BERN, N.C. – A man accused of murdering his ex-wife will appear before a judge on Monday.
Craven County District Attorney Scott Thomas says Michael Wayne Ballance II, 27, has been arrested and charged with murder on Saturday.
Ballance’s arrest comes after the body of his ex-wife, 22-year-old Summer Dawn Swindell, was discovered in a New Bern lake.
Swindell’s body was found near the Lake Tyler subdivision in New Bern Friday.
“Our prayers are with Summer’s family and friends during this tragic time,” said Thomas.
An autopsy is being done on Swindell’s body to determine the cause of death.
Swindell was last seen after midnight on April 28. Ballance told police Swindell left her residence under unusual and out-of-character circumstances, along with a male subject in a dark colored SUV.
Ballance is being held in the Craven County Detention Center under no bond. His first court appearance is schedule for Monday.
The State Bureau of Investigations was called in to help conduct the investigation.
The investigation is ongoing.
