More than two decades after the tragic death of a teenager in North Carolina, investigators have named a police officer as a person of interest in the case. This development is linked to the 2004 incident involving Josh Davis, who was just 16 years old when he was killed.
Authorities recently turned their focus towards a Four Oaks police officer, although details about his involvement are still unclear and he has not been charged. Davis passed away on January 6, 2004, while walking along Hall Boulevard in Garner.
On that day, Davis and his cousin were in a residential area when the cousin returned briefly to a nearby home. When he came back moments later, Davis was found bleeding on the roadside and later died at the hospital.
Initially, investigators believed Davis had been the victim of a hit-and-run, as he suffered a fatal head injury. For years, the cause of death remained ambiguous—was it an accident, or was it intentional?
Now, more than 20 years later, the Garner police are collaborating with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) to explore new leads, which have gained traction recently following the emergence of fresh information in mid-April.
According to a search warrant cited in reports, investigators received tips from the ex-spouse of the officer of interest that revealed inconsistencies in earlier statements made during interviews from 2004 and more recent inquiries. The officer has since been placed on administrative leave, and police searched his home in late March, seizing electronic devices as part of the ongoing investigation.
In a statement, the NCSBI confirmed its assistance in the investigation but chose not to disclose further details at this time.
As this case reopens, Davis’ family continues to plead for anyone with information to come forward. His sister, Alyssa Hatcher, made an emotional appeal, suggesting that many people who know something may have stayed silent about her brother’s murder.
“Everyone who watches this video knows who killed my brother,” she said during a public message, emphasizing that the silence surrounding the case has caused irreparable damage to their family. “For 20 years now, my family has had no answers,” she remarked, reflecting on the prolonged anguish and uncertainty.
Hatcher also addressed those who might have witnessed the incident, urging them to speak with investigators. “I’m not going to come at you with anger as Josh’s sister,” she stated, imploring that they report what they know.
The authorities have joined in this call for information, stating, “The Garner Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in this unsolved homicide case,” encouraging anyone with even seemingly trivial details to reach out. Those with information can contact the Garner Police Investigation Bureau.
