21-year-old arrested after missing elderly family member found dead in southeast Charlotte

Doug Coats and Ciara Lankford

51 mins ago

CHARLOTTE (NEWS FROM QUEEN CITY) – A 21-year-old man has been charged with murder in connection with the death and disappearance of his elderly adoptive father, authorities announced.

On Thursday, CMPD detectives found missing 79-year-old Fred Dunlap of Charlotte in the 1000 block of Bobby Lane with “obvious trauma.” He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dunlap was reported missing on Friday, July 19, by family members concerned for his well-being. A missing person and endangered person alert was issued on Tuesday.

According to his family, Dunlap was suffering from several health conditions and required medications that he did not have with him when he disappeared last week.

After Dunlap’s body was discovered, detectives examined the crime scene and collected evidence.

Authorities were able to identify 21-year-old Desmond Elijah Dunlap as a suspect in the case. He is a family member of Fred Dunlap, CMPD confirmed.

Desmond Dunlap was tracked down and arrested without incident by the CMPD’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team and the FBI in Charlotte. He is charged with the following:

• murder






• Theft of payment cards






• Obtaining property by misrepresentation

Dunlap appeared in court on Friday and was given a hefty $1 million bail.

The investigation into this case is ongoing. Anyone with additional information is asked to call Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.