A man accused of murdering his ex-wife appeared before a judge Monday.
Michael Wayne Ballance II, 27, was 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. A court appointed lawyer was assigned to Ballance.
The State Bureau of Investigations was called in to help conduct the investigation.
The investigation is ongoing.
