Allisha (or Alisha) Watts, a 39-year-old entrepreneur and mother from Moore County, North Carolina, was last seen alive on July 16, 2023, when she visited her boyfriend, James Dunmore, in Charlotte. She never returned home. Her disappearance sparked an extensive search that ended tragically over a month later with the discovery of her remains.

The Timeline:

• Watts climbed into the passenger seat of her own black Mercedes-Benz SUV, with Dunmore driving.
• Two days later, on July 18, authorities found the Mercedes in the parking lot of the Anson County DMV in Polkton. Dunmore was inside, unconscious and alone, unable to explain Watts’ whereabouts.
• On August 24, 2023, her body was discovered in a wooded area behind a cemetery in Montgomery County, near Cemetery Road. The location raised questions, as family members noted it was an unlikely “date” spot.

  

Dunmore, who had a prior criminal record unknown to some in Watts’ circle, faced mounting scrutiny. He was arrested and charged with murder. In February 2026, Dunmore entered a guilty plea in the case, avoiding a potential life sentence.

Family members expressed profound grief and frustration during the prolonged search and legal proceedings. One relative highlighted the emotional toll: “All I do is cry all the time… she was wonderful.” Questions remain about the motive and circumstances, with investigators noting inconsistencies in Dunmore’s account.

Watts was remembered as a vibrant businesswoman and devoted mother. Her case drew widespread attention, shining a light on domestic risks in seemingly ordinary relationships and the challenges of missing persons investigations in rural areas.

Sources:

• WSOCTV, WCNC, and ABC News reports on the disappearance and arrest.