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

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.