Montgomery County, North Carolina, February 18, 2026
The legal battle over the murder case of James Dunmore, accused of killing Allisha Watts, is set to continue in April 2025. Dunmore, who is being held on a $1 million bond, has faced multiple legal challenges as investigations revealed critical evidence, but the cause of Watts’ death remains undetermined. Family and friends continue to pursue justice as the case evolves, highlighting the tragic consequences of this high-profile incident.
Montgomery County, North Carolina
The protracted legal proceedings for James Dunmore, accused of the murder of Allisha Watts, continue to unfold in North Carolina, with the most recent official update indicating a case continuation in April 2025 where his next court date was not immediately determined. Dunmore remains held under a $1 million bond as the legal process moves forward in this high-profile case.
Investigation and Discovery
Allisha Watts, a 39-year-old woman from Moore County, was last seen on July 16, 2023, leaving Dunmore’s home in Charlotte. The couple had reportedly planned to attend a comedy show at Bojangles Coliseum but Watts never arrived. Family members reported her missing to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department on July 19, 2023, after they lost contact with her.
Two days after Watts was last seen, on July 18, 2023, her black Mercedes SUV was found in the parking lot of an Anson County Department of Motor Vehicles office. Inside the vehicle, deputies discovered James Dunmore, unresponsive, in what appeared to be an attempted suicide. Watts was not with him, and a subsequent search of the car and surrounding area yielded no sign of her. Investigators were able to track the cellphone signals of both Dunmore and Watts to the eventual location where her body would be found, with both phones pinging near the area on July 18, 2023.
A police report from July 20, 2023, revealed that a shell casing from a 9mm gun was found outside Dunmore’s Charlotte home, where Watts was last seen. This discovery raised further questions in the early stages of the investigation. Law enforcement also reportedly searched Dunmore’s home and found that videos from his doorbell camera for July 17-18 had been deleted, covering the period immediately after Watts was last seen.
Discovery of Remains and Arrest
The extensive search for Allisha Watts concluded tragically on August 24, 2023, when her remains were discovered in a remote, wooded area near a cemetery in Candor, Montgomery County, North Carolina. The discovery came more than a month after her initial disappearance. Investigators utilized cadaver dogs and digital evidence, including cellphone records and Watts’ car’s GPS, which led them to the location. Authorities believe Watts’ body had been in that location since July 18, 2023, two days after she was last seen.
On the same day her remains were found, James Dunmore was arrested in Charlotte and subsequently charged with first-degree murder in connection with Allisha Watts’ death. He was also charged with felony concealing a death.
Autopsy Findings and Legal Challenges
The autopsy report for Allisha Watts, released on March 13, 2024, listed her cause of death as “undetermined.” The report noted that her body was “skeletonized” and “severely decomposed,” with missing bones and teeth, which hindered the ability to ascertain the exact cause of death. Despite the undetermined cause of death, prosecutors stated they continue to build evidence linking Dunmore to the area where Watts’ body was found.
Throughout the legal process, Dunmore’s attorneys have made several attempts to have his bond reduced from the initial $1 million secured bond, arguing that the undetermined cause of death indicates a lack of evidence. However, judges have repeatedly denied these requests, citing the serious nature of the charge and Dunmore’s past history, which includes domestic violence and previous imprisonment for kidnapping. Prosecutors announced in October 2023 that they would not seek the death penalty in this case.
In September 2024, a judge denied a request by Dunmore’s attorney to dismiss the case, despite a ruling that the state had violated Dunmore’s constitutional rights by improperly obtaining confidential medical records. The judge determined that while the violation occurred, it was not sufficient grounds for dismissal, and the records in question have since been destroyed.
Ongoing Pursuit of Justice
The legal proceedings have been marked by continuations and delays. Dunmore’s case was last reported to have been continued in April 2025, with no new court date determined at that time. Family and friends of Allisha Watts have consistently attended court hearings, expressing their deep sorrow and unwavering commitment to securing justice for her. They continue to highlight Watts’ memory as a dedicated individual who worked in the mental health field and planned to open a group home for those in need. The ongoing case serves as a poignant reminder for her loved ones of the lasting impact of her loss and their collective fight for accountability.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the primary charges against James Dunmore?
- James Dunmore is primarily charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of Allisha Watts, and also with felony concealing a death.
- When was Allisha Watts last seen?
- Allisha Watts was last seen on July 16, 2023, leaving James Dunmore’s home in Charlotte, North Carolina.
- When and where were Allisha Watts’ remains found?
- Allisha Watts’ remains were found on August 24, 2023, in a remote, wooded area near a cemetery in Candor, Montgomery County, North Carolina.
- What did the autopsy report conclude regarding Allisha Watts’ cause of death?
- The autopsy report for Allisha Watts, released on March 13, 2024, listed her cause of death as “undetermined,” due to her body being skeletonized and severely decomposed.
- What is James Dunmore’s current bond status?
- James Dunmore is currently held under a $1 million secured bond, with requests for reduction repeatedly denied by judges.
- Has the prosecution sought the death penalty in this case?
- No, prosecutors announced in October 2023 that they do not intend to seek the death penalty in James Dunmore’s murder trial.
- What was the last known official update regarding James Dunmore’s court proceedings?
- The last known official update indicated a case continuation in April 2025, where his next court date was not immediately determined.
Key Features of the Allisha Watts Murder Case
| Feature | Detail | Geographic Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Victim | Allisha Watts, 39 years old | Moore County (residence) / Charlotte (last seen) |
| Accused | James Dunmore | Charlotte (residence) |
| Date Last Seen | July 16, 2023 | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Discovery of Vehicle | July 18, 2023, Allisha Watts’ Mercedes SUV found with unresponsive James Dunmore inside | Anson County, North Carolina |
| Body Discovery | August 24, 2023, Allisha Watts’ remains found | Montgomery County, North Carolina |
| Charges Against Dunmore | First-degree murder, felony concealing a death | State-level (North Carolina) |
| Autopsy Result | Cause of death “undetermined” (March 13, 2024) | State-level (North Carolina) |
| Bond Status | $1 million secured bond (denied reduction requests) | State-level (North Carolina) |
| Death Penalty Sought | No (prosecutors announced October 2023) | State-level (North Carolina) |
| Last Known Court Update | Case continuation in April 2025; next court date not determined | Montgomery County, North Carolina |