21-year-old arrested after missing adoptive father found dead in SE Charlotte

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

On Thursday, CMPD detectives located missing Charlotte man 79-year-old Fred Dunlap in the 1000 block of Bobby Lane with ‘apparent trauma.’ He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Dunlap was reported missing on Friday, July 19, by his family members who were concerned for his well-being. A Missing and Endangered Alert was issued Tuesday.

Family said Dunlap had several medical conditions that required medications that he did not have with him when he went missing last week.

Following the discovery of Dunlap’s body, detectives processed the scene and collected physical evidence.

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

Desmond Dunlap was located and arrested by CMPD’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team and the Charlotte FBI without incident. He has been charged with the following:

• Murder
• Financial transaction card theft
• Obtaining property by false pretense

Dunlap was in court on Friday and he was given a hefty $1 million bond.

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

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