In 2004, 16-year-old Josh Davis was fatally struck by a vehicle while walking on Hall Boulevard in Garner; police continue to seek information on the unsolved case.
Garner Teenager’s Death Remains Unsolved After 22 Years
The death of a Garner teenager is back in the news as authorities seek new information. Josh Davis was killed on January 6, 2004, while walking on Hall Boulevard in Garner. Twenty-two years later, police are still puzzled by his death. Davis was 16 years old at the time.
On Tuesday, the police department issued a bulletin asking the public for any helpful details, no matter how small. “The anniversary is often a good time to put stuff like that out,” said Garner Detective Michael Hammerstein.
Garner police stated there are no new developments in Davis’s case. However, Tuesday marks 22 years since he was found dead on a neighborhood street. Davis would have turned 36 this year.
WRAL News has reported on Davis’s death and investigation over the years. The case was also featured in an NC Wanted episode. “We just want to make sure there’s nothing that’s been overlooked,” Hammerstein said. “Anything that seems insignificant or unimportant, we want to hear about it.”
Details of the Incident
Garner police reported that Davis and a friend had just left his mother’s house. They were walking along Hall Boulevard around 7 p.m. to reach his father’s home in the same area.
In 2007, investigators concluded that Davis was hit by a car. A forensics firm reconstructed the events leading to his death and analyzed his wounds and blood at the scene. Based on this, the medical examiner reclassified the cause of death as a vehicle-pedestrian crash.
Police believe Davis was likely struck by a bumper, mirror, or another part of a vehicle. They stated the driver might not have seen Davis but should have felt the impact.
A friend of Davis mentioned he ran back to his mother’s house to get a CD and a shirt. When he returned, he found Davis lying on the side of the road, dead from a head injury.
Police ruled out the friend as a suspect. They think Davis was hit by a vehicle that did not stop.
Community Response
Garner has changed since 2004, with a higher population due to its proximity to Raleigh. Detectives hope long-term residents may remember details about the neighborhood or that day that could help.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the police at (919) 772-8810.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Victim | Josh Davis |
| Date of Incident | January 6, 2004 |
| Age at Death | 16 years |
| Current Age | 36 years |
| Location | Hall Boulevard, Garner |
| Police Contact | (919) 772-8810 |
