Family of missing Columbus County woman speaks out as second and third people arrested and charged in case

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — It’s been months since Shanna Denise Peery was last seen alive on April 26.

But this week, three people were arrested in connection with her disappearance.

Lance Arrington Sandlin IV, 47, of Delco, was arrested Monday night and charged with Shanna’s murder. He is currently being held without bail. And on Tuesday, a Delco woman was behind bars for her alleged role in the disappearance and murder.

Lori Angel Flowers, 46, is charged with accessory after the fact in Shanna’s murder.

The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office warrant alleges that Flowers knew Sandlin had injured Perry, helped him deny Perry medical attention, and then helped hide Perry’s body from witnesses.

A third woman, Sandlin’s current wife, Emily, was also arrested Tuesday afternoon for her alleged role.

The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office and the State Bureau of Investigation are still searching for Shanna’s body.

But for Shanna’s family, these arrests are an important first step toward getting the closure they desperately needed.

Her mother, Tracy Perry, said the news of the arrests was bittersweet and she now just wants to be able to bury her daughter.

“I feel numb, then happy,” Perry said. “My emotions are all over the place. I’ve known all along that these two did this. All I want to do is plead for his body. If they have emotions because of what they did, just tell me where my child is so I can bury him. That’s all I want.”

Christopher Rhodes helped search for Shanna’s body for months.

He said he was surprised to learn that arrests had been made in a case that many people had been following.

“It blew my mind and I was happy that it happened,” Rhodes said. “But all last night, all night, even up until 4 o’clock, I was getting calls and texts from people about it.”

Despite what happened, Tracy said she was unable to hate anyone who might have been involved in Shanna’s disappearance.

“You know I forgave them before it even started,” Perry said. “I can’t hate them no matter what. They have families, they have parents that are hurting too for what they did, you know. There’s enough heartache for my family and theirs.”

Lance Sandlin and Lori Flowers are being held in the Columbus County Detention Center without bail.