CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. – The Newport man charged with killing his missing girlfriend made his first court appearance Wednesday at the Carteret County Court House, despite her body not being found.

• Lewis "Trey" Branche has been charged with murdering his girlfriend, Kristen Bennet.
• Bennet's body has not been found.
• Police say, even without a body, they have enough evidence to charge Branche with her murder.

Lewis Victor Branche III, 26, known as “Trey,” is charged with one open count of murder and one felony count of concealing a body. He asked for a court appointed lawyer and remains without bond during this active investigation.  

“We continue to search. Right now we have gotten to the point where we have been able to charge Mr. Branche. But our investigation still continues, especially with regard to trying to locate Miss Bennett’s body,” said Carteret County Sheriff Asa Buck.

Kristen Ashley Bennet, 24, disappeared on Aug. 14. She was reported missing by her mother two days later.

Investigators would not specify what evidence they found that prove she is deceased, but say they have enough to charge Branche with the murder.

“We have physical evidence, digital evidence and circumstantial evidence, based on some information we were provided earlier in the case and throughout the case, and when we put it all together, we feel pretty sure about the case that we brought to charge Mr. Branche with this homicide,” said Buck.

He said Branche has stopped cooperating and answering their questions.

The couple of six years lived together on Hibbs Road in Newport and share a child.

The Sheriff is asking the public to share any information to help them find her body, as well as information about Branche’s whereabouts the last three weeks.

Branche’s next court appearance is set for Sept. 21.