Charges Filed In Connection With Disappearance Of Pike County Woman

Pike County sheriff's deputies have filed charges against a man as they investigate the disappearance of a 77-year-old woman. 24-year-old Brandon Friend is charged with abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence. Deputies say Friend placed apparent human remains in a fire pit last week.  Testing is underway to determine whether the remains are those of Bernice Hayslip, who disappeared last year. Deputies say say Hayslip's daughter, 44-year-old Tracy Sowards, is a person of interest in the case. She is charged with misuse of a credit card and receiving stolen property.