BERNICE, LOUISIANA — A cloud of shock and sorrow has settled over the quiet town of Bernice following a harrowing domestic incident that left a beloved elder dead and his adult son behind bars, accused of an unthinkable crime. On Saturday, July 12, 2025, just after midday, authorities responded to a grim call at the Bernice Villa Apartments on West 4th Street. Inside one of the units, they made a horrific discovery: the lifeless body of 71-year-old Delmer Watts Sr., a longtime resident of the complex and a man well-known in the tight-knit community.
The tragedy has sent ripples through Union Parish and beyond. What was first reported as a possible stabbing has unraveled into a full-blown homicide investigation, with the victim’s own son, 36-year-old Delmer Watts Jr., now in custody and charged with first-degree murder. Officials have confirmed that the murder weapon — a hatchet — was recovered at the scene, alongside other pieces of physical evidence.
Now, as investigators dig deeper and neighbors mourn, questions swirl around what led to this act of domestic violence, the family’s troubled history, and what more could have been done to prevent such a catastrophic breakdown within the home.
A Community Shattered by Violence in Its Midst
Bernice, a rural town of just over 1,500 residents nestled in northern Louisiana’s Union Parish, is a place where people know one another by name and family histories stretch back generations. In such communities, the line between neighbor and family often blurs — which is why Saturday’s killing has struck such a raw nerve.
“Delmer Sr. was always kind, always polite,” said Frances Lee, a long-time neighbor at Bernice Villa Apartments. “He didn’t talk much, but you’d see him sweeping his porch in the mornings, walking to the store with his cane. He kept to himself, but he was good. No one saw this coming. It’s just sickening.”
The Union Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call placed around midday Saturday. The caller had reported a possible stabbing at the Bernice Villa Apartments. Deputies arrived to find the elder Watts already deceased, and what they encountered inside, according to initial law enforcement reports, was the aftermath of a violent, prolonged assault.
Though official autopsy findings have not yet been released, law enforcement confirmed that Watts Sr. had likely been dead for several hours before authorities were alerted. His body showed signs of multiple injuries, consistent with blunt-force trauma and sharp object wounds. A hatchet, believed to be the murder weapon, was recovered at the scene.
The Suspect: Delmer Watts Jr.
When deputies arrived, Delmer Watts Jr. was still in the apartment. According to Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Lt. J.D. Temple, he did not attempt to flee or resist arrest. “He was sitting there when we walked in. Quiet, almost dazed,” Temple stated. “He made no attempt to run or hide what had happened.”
The younger Watts was taken into custody without incident. He reportedly appeared impaired, though authorities have not yet confirmed whether drugs or alcohol played a role. Toxicology testing is underway to determine what substances, if any, were present in his system at the time of the killing.
Court records indicate that this was not the first sign of trouble in the Watts household. Though law enforcement has not released details of previous domestic incidents, they have acknowledged a documented history of conflict between the father and son.
“There were prior disturbances,” Lt. Temple said. “It’s part of the larger picture we’re looking at — how long this tension had been escalating, and whether anyone saw warning signs.”
A Troubled Dynamic: Father and Son’s History Under Scrutiny
Family acquaintances and former neighbors have begun piecing together a disturbing portrait of long-term dysfunction in the Watts household. Those familiar with the pair describe an often volatile relationship colored by mental health struggles and substance abuse.
“Delmer Jr. wasn’t right,” said one family friend who asked not to be named. “He’d been in and out of jobs, had a hard time staying clean. His dad tried to help him. But they fought — a lot. Screaming, sometimes banging, sometimes the cops would come. It was never good.”
Though court documents are still under review by investigators, initial indications suggest that Watts Jr. had a history of arrests, possibly including charges related to public intoxication, minor domestic disturbances, and drug possession. However, there was no active restraining order or legal separation between the two men at the time of the incident.
Officials say mental health concerns may have played a role in the tragedy. Watts Jr. is believed to have exhibited signs of psychological instability, though it is not yet clear if he had been formally diagnosed or treated for any condition.
The Scene Inside: Forensic Clues Paint a Gruesome Picture
The interior of the apartment, investigators say, bore the hallmarks of a frenzied attack. Furniture was overturned. Blood patterns indicated that the elder Watts may have tried to defend himself, but was ultimately overpowered and cornered.
The recovered hatchet, which is now undergoing forensic analysis, was reportedly found in the kitchen, smeared with blood and hair. Investigators are also examining surveillance footage from nearby apartments and canvassing neighbors for any signs of suspicious activity leading up to the killing.
“We’re looking at this from all angles,” said Sheriff Dusty Gates. “There’s still a lot to process — toxicology, forensic evidence, background checks, digital forensics. But the primary facts are painfully clear: a father is dead, and his son is responsible.”
Grief and Reflection: The Community Mourns Delmer Watts Sr.
As word of the murder spread through Bernice, grief quickly gave way to reflection. Though Delmer Sr. was not a public figure, his quiet, consistent presence was felt throughout the neighborhood. A man of routine, respect, and gentle mannerisms, many are struggling to comprehend how his life ended so brutally — and at the hands of his own child.
A small memorial of flowers and candles began appearing outside the apartment complex the day after the incident. One note, scrawled in delicate handwriting, read: “Rest in peace, Mr. Delmer. We won’t forget your kindness.”
“He was our neighbor, but more than that — he was someone you could count on to say good morning, to help with groceries if he saw you struggling,” said Angela Ruffin, who lives in a neighboring unit. “He had a rough life, but he was trying to live peacefully in his old age. This is just… awful.”
Domestic Violence in Rural America: A Silent Epidemic
The tragedy has also reignited conversations about domestic violence in rural areas, where resources for mental health, substance abuse, and crisis intervention are often limited or inaccessible.
“This isn’t just a city problem,” said Dana Wilcox, director of a regional domestic violence nonprofit based in Monroe. “Domestic violence happens everywhere — but in rural towns like Bernice, it often goes unseen, unreported, or untreated. There’s a stigma, a sense of shame, and a fear of being isolated from the community.”
Experts emphasize that intergenerational domestic violence, where adult children and elderly parents are entangled in toxic, sometimes codependent relationships, is particularly difficult to intervene in.
“If someone reports their son for threats or abuse, there’s a very real fear that they’ll be left alone, or that the child will end up homeless or incarcerated,” Wilcox continued. “We need better tools to respond to these complex dynamics.”
Union Parish officials say they are renewing efforts to connect families with counseling services, behavioral health support, and early crisis intervention, hoping that the loss of Delmer Watts Sr. can galvanize preventative change.
Legal Process Underway: First-Degree Murder Charge Filed
As of July 13, Delmer Watts Jr. remains in custody at the Union Parish Detention Center, held without bond. The first-degree murder charge he faces carries the possibility of life imprisonment without parole, or even the death penalty, though no prosecutorial decisions have yet been announced.
District Attorney John Belcourt issued a brief statement confirming that his office was working closely with Union Parish Sheriff’s Office investigators to build a thorough case. “We will seek full accountability under the law,” the statement read.
Watts Jr. has not yet entered a plea. A preliminary hearing is expected within the next two weeks. It remains unclear whether he has retained legal representation or if a court-appointed defense attorney will be assigned.
The Next Chapter: A Funeral and a Reckoning
At press time, funeral arrangements for Delmer Watts Sr. had not been publicly announced. However, family members are reportedly working with a local funeral home to plan a private memorial. Neighbors expect a community vigil to take place later in the week.
For many in Bernice, the loss feels deeply personal — not just because of who Delmer was, but because of what his death represents: the fragility of family bonds, the deadly toll of untreated mental illness, and the silent weight of domestic strife hidden behind closed doors.
“I just keep thinking about the times I saw them sitting on the porch,” said Angela Ruffin. “They looked like any father and son. You never really know what’s happening behind those walls.”
A Call for Vigilance, a Plea for Prevention
As the community continues to reel from the tragedy, authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant, to speak up when they see signs of domestic abuse, and to check in on elderly neighbors who may be at risk.
“We don’t want Mr. Watts’s death to be in vain,” Sheriff Gates said. “If you know someone who’s in trouble — emotionally, mentally, relationally — please say something. Reach out. Report it. There are resources, and there is help.”
For now, Bernice mourns a quiet man whose life ended violently and far too soon — and watches with bated breath as the wheels of justice begin to turn.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or a mental health crisis, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Help is available 24/7.