On June 4, 2024, at approximately 10:33 p.m., deputies from the Bladen County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of gunshots in the 100 block of Dixon Road in Riegelwood, North Carolina. Upon arrival, they discovered 33-year-old Bolivia Monique Williams, a resident of Whiteville, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Tragically, Williams, who was 25 weeks pregnant, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses identified 31-year-old Najee Devon Leach, also from Riegelwood, as the suspect in the shooting. Leach, who was in a relationship with Williams, had recently altered his appearance by cutting off his dreadlocks. He was believed to be driving a gold 2006 Subaru Forester with the license plate number VAK-7395. Following the incident, Leach reportedly posted a cryptic message on his Facebook profile, stating, "U posed to love me but gon thug me."
A manhunt was initiated, with authorities considering Leach armed and dangerous. The search concluded successfully when Leach was apprehended by the Bladen County Sheriff's Office on June 5, 2024, at approximately 4:00 p.m. He was subsequently charged with the murder of Bolivia Williams.
Williams is survived by her five children, ranging in age from 11 months to 16 years. In the wake of her death, her mother, who had already been caring for three of the children, assumed responsibility for all five. A fundraiser was established to support the family during this difficult time.
The community mourned the loss of Williams and her unborn child, with funeral services held on June 15, 2024, at Central Baptist Church in Whiteville, North Carolina. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death continued as the legal process proceeded.
