Warrant: Investigators sought evidence of murder in search tied to missing Allisha Watts

On July 19, Watts’ family filed a missing persons report with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police.
People from across the state have rallied in support of the missing 39-year-old woman.
Published: Aug. 1, 2023 at 12:13 PM EDT|Updated: Aug. 1, 2023 at 5:15 PM EDT
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – The warrant tied to last week’s search of a northeast Charlotte home in connection with the disappearance of Allisha Watts states investigators were looking for evidence of murder.

Watts, who is from Moore County, was last seen July 16 at the Pamela Lorraine Drive home of her boyfriend, according to the search warrant.

Her cousin said she saw Watts getting into the passenger side of her vehicle, while her boyfriend got into the driver’s seat, the warrant states.

Cellular data records show that Watts’ phone, her boyfriend’s phone, and the vehicle all returned to the Pamela Lorraine Drive home around 3 p.m. July 16 and all three remained at the home until around 6 a.m. on July 18, according to the search warrant.

Watts’ vehicle was found on July 18 at an Anson County DMV. Her boyfriend, who police list as the sole resident of the Pamela Lorraine Drive home, was inside the vehicle and was the victim of an apparent suicide attempt, the warrant states.

Police said Watts was not in the vehicle.

According to the warrant tied to the July 26 Pamela Lorraine Drive search, police looked through the home and a 2007 Audi for any evidence of the crime of murder.

WBTV also obtained a report from the Anson County Sheriff’s Office. That report says the man found unresponsive in the SUV was considered a person of interest at the time and that he had a history of domestic violence.

On July 19, Watts’ family filed a missing persons report with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police.

People from across the state have rallied in support of the missing 39-year-old woman. On July 25, about 400 people showed up for a candlelight vigil in Southern Pines.

The next day, Watts’ family and friends, as well as activists, made the trip to Charlotte in hopes of learning more about the timeline and investigation.

Over the weekend, Watts’ family and friends organized a search party off Woodward Avenue near Camp North End but were unable to find her.

Prayer and candlelight gathering held Tuesday night

A prayer gathering took place Tuesday in Southern Pines in Moore County.

“Prayer changes things. That’s all we ever had was out faith in God, even in slavery, we prayed. We prayed to God, a lot of prayer, got answers from prayer. And we know when a multitude of people pray. It changes things,” said Elder James Johnson, CEO of Racial Justice Network.

The message at this candlelight was to continue to push for answers and pray for her safe return.

A vigil was held Tuesday in Southern Pines to bring hope to the investigation.

”Allisha is all of us. It is about me. If Allisha is gone, my child is gone. If Allisha is gone, my niece is gone. If Allisha is gone, my family member is gone,” said Dearest Price with Racial Justice Network.

Over the weekend, Watts’ family and friends organized a search party off Woodward Avenue near Camp North End but were unable to find her.

A GoFundMe has been set up to raise funds to help with expenses.