NC Wanted: 2012 murder of Durham man known for generosity remains unsolved

Donnie Watson was a towering figure in the Durham community and family members said he would give people money when they were down on their luck.

Family members also believe it was that generosity, and the wad of money he often carried, that may have led to his death.

“I wake up in the middle of the night like it’s so fresh,” said Watson’s wife, Margaret Watson.

Margaret Watson was as shocked as anyone at the murder of her husband on July 9, 2012.

“There’s no words to describe it. Such a troubled thing to happen to somebody like that who had so much good in him,” she said.

Donnie Watson, 74, was found in a pool of blood in his home on Regis Avenue. The autopsy report said the retired firefighter had been beaten to death with a crystal candlestick.

Every day since his death, his family and friends have prayed for justice.

Donnie Watson’s brother, a retired Durham police officer, said it was a particularly brutal crime.

“It’s been very sad. I tried not to get emotional, but it’s just sad. Every day since he was murdered, people ask us ‘have you heard anything on Donnie’s murder,” Wayne Watson said.

A woman was arrested for the murder, but the charges were later dropped.

The day before the crime, Donnie Watson had lunch with his son. Later that night, he reportedly went to a local VFW post, then to an internet sweepstakes café on N.C. Highway 98.

After that, many questions linger, including who killed Donnie Watson and why.

“All my siblings passed away. We put them to rest, they were with the Lord, but Donnie, I don’t think we’ll ever get over that because he was so brutally beaten and I just hope one day they’ll put the people in jail that did it,” Wayne Watson said.

Anybody with information on the murder of Donnie Watson is asked to call the N.C. Wanted hotline at 866-439-2683.