Bernice, LA — Son Arrested After Brutal Hatchet Killing of 71-Year-Old Father, Delmer Watts Sr.
The small, tight-knit community of Bernice, Louisiana, is reeling after a horrific and deeply disturbing tragedy unfolded over the weekend, leaving a beloved father dead and his son behind bars. Authorities have confirmed that 71-year-old Delmer Watts Sr. was brutally killed in what investigators are calling a deadly hatchet attack — allegedly carried out by his own son.
According to the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to a residence on Saturday evening after receiving a 911 call reporting a possible assault. When deputies arrived at the home — located in a rural part of Bernice — they made the grim discovery. Inside, they found Delmer Watts Sr. dead from what appeared to be multiple wounds inflicted by a hatchet. The scene was described as gruesome, and authorities believe the attack occurred sometime earlier in the day.
The suspect, identified as Delmer “D.J.” Watts Jr., the 34-year-old son of the victim, was taken into custody without incident at the scene. He was reportedly still at the residence when deputies arrived and was immediately detained. Sheriff Dusty Gates confirmed that the murder weapon, a bloodied hatchet, was recovered at the scene and is being processed as evidence.
The motive behind the violent attack remains unclear, but sources familiar with the case say there may have been ongoing domestic tensions within the household. The Sheriff’s Office noted that there were no prior official reports of domestic violence between the father and son, though neighbors and extended family members described the relationship as “complicated” and “volatile.”
“This is one of the most heartbreaking and shocking cases we’ve seen in years,” said Sheriff Gates in a press briefing on Sunday. “It’s tragic anytime we lose a member of our community to violence, but for something this brutal to happen within a family — it leaves everyone asking why.”
Delmer Watts Sr. was known around Bernice as a quiet, friendly man who enjoyed spending his days working on his property, attending local church services, and visiting with neighbors. Many in the community described him as kind-hearted, hardworking, and generous with his time. He was a lifelong resident of Union Parish and had worked as a mill worker before retiring nearly a decade ago.
“He didn’t deserve this,” said one neighbor through tears. “He was always willing to lend a hand. You just can’t imagine something like this happening in our town, especially not to Delmer.”
Friends of the family say that D.J. Watts had been staying with his father on and off over the past year, following a period of unemployment and personal struggles. He had a minor criminal record but nothing that indicated a history of violent behavior.
The Louisiana State Police Crime Lab is assisting in the investigation, and the Union Parish District Attorney’s Office has already begun preparing formal charges. Delmer Watts Jr. is currently being held in the Union Parish Detention Center without bond. He is expected to face charges of second-degree murder or possibly first-degree murder, depending on the findings of the ongoing investigation and potential evidence of premeditation.
As the small community of Bernice processes the shock and grief of this devastating loss, local churches and neighbors are rallying together to support the surviving family members and honor the life of Delmer Watts Sr.
“He was a good man. A simple man who didn’t bother anybody,” said Reverend Clay Foster of Bernice Baptist Church. “We are praying for peace for his soul and healing for our town. This kind of pain will take time to heal.”
Funeral arrangements for Mr. Watts are currently being planned by the family. Meanwhile, grief counselors and clergy members are offering support to those impacted by this unthinkable act of violence.
This tragedy has left a permanent scar on Bernice — a town unaccustomed to such horror — and serves as a stark reminder of the hidden struggles that can sometimes lurk behind closed doors.