GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — A man who was just released from prison killed his father at the home near Kings Mountain where he had been invited to stay, family members said.
The victim was Steve Hughes, who was the landlord and owns some homes there, family members told Faherty.
Laycee Nulter showed Faherty photos of her dad, Steve Hughes, taken on her wedding day. She along with her mom can’t believe he is gone.
“He had a heart of gold,” said the victim’s daughter, Laycee Nutler. “He would give you every last thing on his back if he could.”
“Pray for us and let everything go good,” said Starr Kale, the victim’s mother. “We’re going to miss Steve.”
Family members said that his killer was his son, Derek Steven Hughes, who got out of prison last week.
Steve Hughes picked his son up from prison and allowed him to stay at his home.
Derek Hughes was released Wednesday after serving several months for possession of Schedule II narcotics.
“It’s mind blowing to be honest,” Nutler said.
Nutler said her dad was trying to help her brother.
“Everything seemed mutual and then I got the phone call from my mom that my dad was gone,” Nutler said. “I don’t know exactly what happened.”
The suspect left but was later pulled over and arrested, police said.
Derek Hughes is now in the Gaston County jail under no bond on a first-degree murder charge.
No additional details have been made available.
This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com and watch Eyewitness News for updates.
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