The victim in a homicide in a Carrboro neighborhood has been identified, with local police saying the suspect is in custody and held at the detention center.

The Carrboro Police Department provided an update Friday night to a Thursday homicide investigation along Cedarwood Lane — a road located within the Tennis Club Estates neighborhood off of North Carolina Highway 54. Officers responded to a 911 call about a domestic disturbance at an apartment at 3:17 p.m. and found a deceased woman inside.

38-year-old Shayna Watson was publicly identified as the woman on Friday. Investigation led to police identifying 42-year-old Desmond Cook as the suspect and arrested him on Thursday. Cook is charged with second degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury with intent to kill.

Cook is being held at the Orange County Detention Center without bond. Carrboro Police said the case is active and remains under investigation. Authorities encouraged anyone in the community who may have more information about the incident to call their investigators at 919-918-7397 or Orange County Communications at 919-732-5063. Additionally, community members who wish to remain anonymous can also use the Chapel Hill-Carrboro-UNC CrimeStoppers system by calling 919-942-7515 or visiting its website here.

In its update, Carrboro Police also thanked the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation for helping with the response and death investigation, as well as the Chapel Hill Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office for handling emergency calls for service while the investigation was underway.

Featured photo by Brighton McConnell/Chapel Hill Media Group.


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