Cold Case Breakthrough: Mother Says Friend Of Son Is Now Person Of Interest In 2004 Death

A mother is hopeful that more than 20 years later, the cold case of a hit-and-run that killed her son is gaining momentum as bloggers and crime enthusiasts continue to uncover new findings.

Judy Creech, who lost her son in a hit-and-run case in 2004, said she is hopeful after the investigation regained momentum after more than 20 years. Creech said her son’s cold case is finally moving forward.

Josh Davis, was killed in 2004 on Hall Boulevard in Garner. He was 16 years old at the time.

According to authorities, Davis and his friend had just left his mother’s house and were walking along the road around 7 p.m. on January 6, 2024, heading toward his father’s home in the same neighborhood. The friend said he ran back to his mother’s house to retrieve a CD and a shirt. When he returned, he found Davis on the side of the road. Three years after his death, investigators concluded Davis was a victim of a hit-and-run crash, saying he had been struck by a vehicle and died from his injuries.

Creech said she had been waiting for a break in the case for the past 20 years and described the pace of progress to be disappointing, "We want this to come to an end," Creech said.

Creech said online bloggers and crime enthusiasts helped bring renewed attention to the case, giving new momentum to the North Carolina SBI and the Garner Police Department in late 2025.

The new momentum has led to a new person of interest, according to a Four Oaks Police Department officer. "When I found that out, that was a big catch of my breath. I really could not get over that," Creech said.

On April 21, the department's chief confirmed that a police officer has been named a person of interest in the 2004 hit-and-run case. The officer has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation, according to the State Bureau of Investigation and the Garner Police Department. The investigation was restarted on April 16.

A WRAL News report did not name the officer, pending official confirmation. A warrant indicated authorities were acting on a tip, and a former spouse of the officer identified him as a suspect.

Creech said she was shocked when she learnt the Identity of the person of interest and realized she knew him. "They were friends," she said. She said she was further surprised to learn the same individual had attended her son’s funeral and signed the guest book. “It’s just mind-blowing,” she said. Creech said the development raises painful questions she has carried for years.