By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

A settlement agreement has been reached in the wrongful death lawsuit filed against Jim Watson regarding the death of his wife, Beverley, Watson’s attorney confirmed Thursday.
The settlement must be approved by Superior Court Judge Paschal English before it becomes official.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the Watsons’ two children by Beverley Watson’s father, James Callaway, in 1999.

Jim Watson reported his wife was missing two days after she left their home following an argument Jan. 18, 1997. Watson said he delayed calling police because his wife had left home before and stayed away several days at a time.

For over two years, Beverley Watson’s whereabouts were unknown. But in March of last year, her remains were found in a rural area near Fairburn in south Fulton County.

In the settlement that both parties have agreed upon, Watson “does not admit in any way that he was involved with the disappearance or death of his wife,” said his attorney Steven Mixon.

No criminal charges have been filed against anyone relating to Beverley Watson’s death. But authorities indicated they believe she was murdered.

Watson has custody of both children and the family still lives in Fayette County, Mixon confirmed.

“This settlement is in the best interest of Jim and his children,” Mixon said. “It has been costly and hard on Jim. He wants this thing to be overwith.”

Mixon added, however, that the potential ending of the case doesn’t provide his client with closure.

“He feels like hopefully, someday they’ll find out who did this and there will be some real closure to this thing.”

The attorney representing the children through Callaway could not be contacted by press time.