One man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of his girlfriend.
On April 22, 2025, officers responded for a welfare check at an apartment in the 3000 block of Jean Rabin Way, according to a news release from the Wilmington Police Department. When officers and paramedics entered the apartment, they located the decomposing remains of a female who had been dead for several days.
An investigation revealed the incident to be a murder, according to the news release.
As the investigation progressed, investigators identified the victim as 31-year-old Holly Petteys of Wilmington, according to the release. Petteys’ boyfriend, 31-year-old Michael John Lavelle, was identified by law enforcement as the person of interest.
Lavelle returned to the scene while law enforcement was still present. Though Lavelle had altered his appearance, detectives with the Wilmington Police Department recognized him.
The suspect fled on foot and ended up in a nearby ditch, where he began to stab himself with a knife, according to the release. Using a taser, an officer took him into custody.
Lavelle was in serious condition at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center as of Wednesday, April 23. He faces charges of first-degree murder and resist/delay/obstruct.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Wilmington police at 910-343-3609 or using the anonymous Tip 411 app.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Man charged in connection with girlfriend’s death in Wilmington, NC