<body><div>Mystery surrounds the disappearance of a 20-year-old woman who vanished eight weeks ago, leaving her family increasingly concerned.Jessica Barnes, of Pendleton, South Carolina, was last seen on August 1 and her loved ones have begun to express extreme concern for her safety. It wasn't until September 10 that Jessica was reported missing by her mom Cecilia Varvara after she received a suspicious message from an account under her daughter's name - which she believes didn't come from Jessica.The worried mom said the text didn't sound like Jessica, but Pendleton Police Chief Roberts Crosby, who has been in contact with Varvara, said investigators haven't officially determined whether the messages came from Jessica or not. As the investigation progresses, this is currently considered Varvara's suspicion, Crosby said.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3bBSjj_0vkQIPzp00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3bBSjj_0vkQIPzp00" width="310" height="465" ><figcaption>She was reported missing by her mom on September 10 after the woman received a suspicious message ( Image: Handout)</figcaption></figure>It's not clear what the text said. Jessica was last seen in Pendleton - a town of about 3,700 people, located roughly 25 miles southwest of Greenville - wearing an orange t-shirt, dark jean shorts, flip-flops and a black backpack.The police chief said Jessica and her husband Brandon Barnes, who is not a suspect in her disappearance, were having "issues" which he described as "typical marital disputes, argumentative" before "she just left." According to Crosby, Jessica didn't tell her husband or their two roommates where she was heading before she left the home.Varvara said she is worried as she is aware of allegations of physical abuse against her daughter purportedly involving her husband. Police said no alleged assaults involving Barnes were reported to them, and no charges have been filed in connection with the allegations. People reported that as part of their investigation, officers tracked the couple's roommate's car to a location frequented by Jessica and her husband, with phone records showing that Barnes drove the vehicle to the location. However, police didn't reveal the exact location, and didn't say when and where the missing woman's phone last pinged.In their appeal, Pendleton Police Department said: "Pendleton Police are asking for help attempting to locate Jessica Barnes. Jessica was last seen in the Pendleton area on or around August 1, 2024. She was last seen wearing an orange t-shirt, dark jeans shorts, flip-flops, and a black backpack. If anyone has any information about Jessica, please contact Chief Crosby or the Pendleton Police Department."In an interview with WYFF, Jessica's mom said through tears: "If you see this, know that you are loved. And we're waiting for you to give me a phone call as soon as you get this. Know that your father and your siblings are worried and I'm worried about you and your safety."Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Jessica Barnes is encouraged to contact Robert Crosby at 864-646-9409 or via email at robertc@townofpendleton.org.</div></body>

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Mystery as mom of missing South Carolina woman, 20, says final text 'wasn't from her'

Mystery surrounds the disappearance of a 20-year-old woman who vanished eight weeks ago, leaving her family increasingly concerned. Jessica Barnes, of Pendleton, South Carolina, was last seen on August 1 and her loved ones have begun to express extreme concern for her safety. It wasn't until September 10 that Jessica was reported missing by her mom Cecilia Varvara after she received a suspicious message from an account under her daughter's name - which she believes didn't come from Jessica.