71-year-old Bernice man found dead inside apartment; son faces murder charge

BERNICE, La. (KTVE/KARD) — On Saturday, July 12, 2025, Union Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a reported stabbing at the Bernice Villa Apartments at 115 W. 4th Street. Upon arrival, deputies discovered 71-year-old Delmer Watts Sr. deceased inside the apartment.

The Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division (CID) launched an investigation and identified the victim’s son, 36-year-old Delmer Watts Jr., as the primary suspect. It is believed that the victim was likely deceased several hours before UPSO was contacted.

Watts Jr. was still on scene when deputies arrived and was taken into custody without incident. Investigators recovered a hatchet believed to be the murder weapon, along with other physical evidence.

Watts Jr. was reported to have a history of conflict with his father and appeared to be impaired during questioning. Delmer Watts Jr. was booked into the Union Parish Detention Center on a charge of First-Degree Murder. The incident remains under investigation.