UPDATE: Last night, CMPD Homicide Detectives arrested Eric Anthony Morales (R) in connection with the body found on Saturday. Police say the arrest came after detectives made a tentative identification of the victim and obtained additional evidence during their investigation.
Until an official ID is made, police are withholding the name of the victim, however, it is believed to be Atoi Watson. Watson went missing on September 14, 2007, after a fight with her boyfriend... Eric Morales.
Morales has a local arrest history that includes charges for assault on a female, aggravated assault and various traffic violations. Morales is currently being held without bond in the Mecklenburg County Jail.
-----------------------------------Morales has a local arrest history that includes charges for assault on a female, aggravated assault and various traffic violations. Morales is currently being held without bond in the Mecklenburg County Jail.
On Saturday evening, a 19-year old man was walking his dog behind the Studio 6- Extended Stay motel when he discovered human remains. The motel is located on Queen City Drive.Police say the teen let his dog off the leash in a wooded area behind the motel and his dog found what appeared to be a decaying leg bone and a pair of woman's panties strewn in a bush nearby. The young man and his mother called police.
Upon officers arrival and further investigation, several more human bones were found in the area. Police say the remains are female and appear to have been in the woods for several months. The remains were transported to the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiners Office to determine the identity of the woman and cause of death.
Homicide Detectives and Crime Scene personnel searched the wooded area on Sunday to look for evidence. Law enforcement used Sheriff Department and Charlotte Fire Department's cadaver dogs to assist in the search.