North Carolina governor offers $25,000 reward in Catawba County 1992 murder of 13-year-old

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has announced a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the 1992 murder of 13-year-old Isis Denise “Dee Dee” Dawkins in Catawba County.

Dawkins was reported missing on July 5, 1992, after last being seen two days earlier at her home in Hickory. Her body was found weeks later, on July 28, in the South Fork River in Brookford, and officially identified on August 14. Authorities confirmed she had been raped and murdered.

For more than three decades, Dawkins’ family has endured an agonizing wait for answers. “Dee Dee was invisible, like no one knew her,” said her cousin, Kessiah Young. “This whole process has been exhausting — so many ups and downs over the years.”

The governor’s reward, Young said, brings a renewed sense of hope. “I want to thank Governor Josh Stein for approving Dee Dee’s reward. It means so much to our family,” she said. “Having the governor’s support makes it feel like her case finally matters — that it could truly be solved.”

Governor Stein emphasized the importance of continuing the search for justice, even in cold cases. “Even when all leads have been exhausted, we cannot stop pursuing justice,” he said. “I urge anyone with information to come forward so this family can find closure and the killer can be held accountable.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office at (828) 464-5241 or the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation at (919) 662-4500.