Police have confirmed they found the remains of a North Carolina woman who went missing more than a month ago.
Allisha Watts, 39, went missing in July. Her boyfriend James Dunmore, 51, has since been arrested and charged with murder. He was taken into custody Thursday, according to Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
“This is not the outcome that we had been hoping for, but by finding Allisha today … I hope and I pray it brings some closure to family and friends moving forward,” Sheriff Pete Herron said at a news conference.
Watts was last seen on July 16 in Charlotte. Two days after her disappearance, her vehicle was found just outside of Charlotte in Anson County.
At the time of the victim’s disappearance, Stephanie Johnson told ABC News that her sister was last seen with the suspect, who lives in Moore County, North Carolina, adding that they met while her sister was visiting her cousin, who is Dunmore’s neighbor.
Watts is described as a “hardworking, independent, reliable, resourceful, loving, kind, attentive person,” according to Johnson, who also said she had a thriving career working in the mental health field.
At the time of this writing, police did not say where exactly the victim’s remains were found, although Charlotte-Mecklenburg police did say on Thursday that the “case is no longer considered a missing person investigation.”
Dunmore remains in custody without bond.
“This is not what we prayed for,” Watts’ friend, Dorothy Brower, told reporters. “She was found, but it was not how we wanted to find her. She doesn’t deserve what her fate became. Just to dispose of someone who is just one of the best persons you could meet.”
She added that the suspect’s “life would’ve been enhanced being with her – but it came to this. I’m furious. We miss her so much. There’s a void.”
