A North Carolina woman named Allisha Watts was reported missing on July 16, 2023, and has been found dead as her boyfriend, James Dunmore, has been arrested for murder.
The alarming surge of missing people has emerged as a pressing concern in recent times, transcending geographical boundaries and touching the lives of families and communities worldwide.
The unexplained disappearances of individuals have a long and haunting history, but their prevalence has reached unprecedented levels in contemporary society.
From urban centers to remote corners of the globe, the enigma of missing persons continues to perplex authorities and tug at the heartstrings of those left behind.
On July 16, 2023, Allisha Dene-Watts vanished after spending the weekend with her boyfriend, James Dunmore. Two days after her disappearance, Watts’ boyfriend was found inside her Mercedes Benz SUV.
Mystery plagued the missing woman’s family as police launched an investigation to find her.
Allisha Watts’ relatives pleaded to the public to assist with the case, eager to know if they have additional information on her whereabouts. Below are everything to know about her.
Who was Allisha Watts?
Allisha Watts, 39, worked in mental health support and was the CEO of Inspired Visions Support Services, INC, providing disability services to persons of all ages in several North Carolina counties.
She stood at a height of five feet, nine inches, and had brown hair and brown eyes.
The North Carolina resident’s known family members are her sister Stephanie and her cousin Gwendolyn.
Stephanie describes Allisha as “a hard-working, independent, reliable, resourceful, loving, kind, attentive person.”
Valora Connerly, an old high school classmate of Watts’, described her as a pillar of her local community.
“If someone has hurt her, I hope they understand this has affected a lot of people in a way they can never comprehend,” an emotional Connerly told The U.S. Sun at the time.
“She’s a very good person […] she deserves to be back home with her family, and I just don’t understand how anyone could want to hurt her.
“It’s just it’s very heartbreaking, and I’m lost for words.”
Connerly added: “I mean, it’s very heartbreaking and it’s very disturbing. Because whatever happened, or whatever the story is, or whatever the facts are, she’s not deserving of any of this. Not at all.”
When did Allisha Watts go missing?
On July 16, 2023, Allisha was reported missing after she failed to attend an outing with her sister Stephanie and her cousin Gwendolyn.
She told ABC News: “She advocates for people’s mental health and right now, she needs somebody to advocate for her.
“She’s out there somewhere. Every day that passes by, we are less likely to bring her home safe.”
Regarding Allisha’s disappearance, Stephanie also said to WRAL: “She is not the type of person that would just disappear, and leave, and not have contact with her family or friends.
“She’s loved and we want her home. That’s why we are looking for her, taking matters into our own hands.”
The missing woman’s friend Learen Blue commented: “She’s a vital piece of the community and she’s involved in several organizations in our community.
“This has been a week of pure torture. We just need help to bring her back.
“She gives back, she gives up her time. She gives her heart. She gives anything that she knows a person needs. She willingly, freely gives.”
Where was Allisha last seen?
Allisha was last seen leaving Charlotte with her boyfriend James Dunmore.
Police believe they had plans to head to Moore County.
On July 18, 2023, law enforcement located Allisha’s black Mercedes Benz SUV in the Anson County DMV’s parking lot.
Dunmore was found in the vehicle unresponsive without Allisha.
“That Monday, the vehicle was still parked at a friend’s house and the next thing you know, the car was moved in the wee hours of the night,” Stephanie shared with the abovementioned outlet.
“The next day, the family filed a missing person report, and here we are today.”
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in determining Allisha’s whereabouts.
“Detectives have been in communication with immediate family members of Ms. Watts and their designee to provide updates and request relevant information,” the CMPD stated via Twitter.
“Detectives are following all leads and using all available resources to locate Ms. Watts.”
Update: Body found in search for missing Allisha Watts as boyfriend James Dunmore arrested for murder
The sheriff’s office said a body had been found on Thursday on Cemetery Road in Montgomery, North Carolina, near the state line with Richmond County, and investigators believe the remains are those of Allisha Watts.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office announced that Dunmore was arrested on Thursday and charged with murder.
James Dunmore had an extensive criminal record, including convictions for abduction and domestic violence in Alexandria, Virginia.
Details about his convictions were not immediately available.
Still, Dunmore was arrested for both offenses in March 2002 and sentenced to five years in prison and 15 years unsupervised probation upon release.
His rap sheet also includes several other offenses, including arrests for stalking, malicious wounding, and assault and battery.
Dunmore and Watts began dating about a year ago and were introduced by her cousin, Gwendolyn Utley, who lives across the street from the suspect.
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