Police identify man found dead in downtown Chapel Hill. Investigation underway.
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Officer on downtown foot patrol discovered a man dead on West Franklin Street.
- Town withheld the man’s identity; medical examiner will determine cause of death.
- Chapel Hill Police launched an investigation into the death.
A man found dead on Franklin Street in downtown Chapel Hill this week has been identified.
A Chapel Hill police officer on foot patrol found Charles Murray Williams Jr., 53, at 11:10 a.m. on the 300 block of West Franklin Street, the town said in a statement.
Williams’ death does not appear to be suspicious, police said in an update Friday. They are continuing to investigate, it said.
Fire and EMS radio traffic from Orange County around 11 a.m. suggests first responders responded to a cardiac arrest call at 308 W. Franklin St. — the address of the Chapel Hill and Orange County Welcome Center.
Police have not confirmed this was related to the man’s death.
Tammy Grubb contributed to this report.
This story was originally published October 9, 2025 at 1:26 PM.
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