Kristy Rothwell Hiatt, 48, was found dead from a gunshot wound on March 12, 2022, in a bedroom at a residence on Cannon Street Extension in Rockwell, North Carolina. Rowan County deputies and Rockwell police responded about 7:40 p.m. and encountered 60-year-old Melvin Douglas Morton of Salisbury in the home’s living room. Morton was taken into custody at the scene and charged with murder and possession of a firearm by a felon; officers recovered a .22 revolver in his possession.

Morton’s record, which includes convictions for assault with a deadly weapon, breaking and entering, robbery, carrying a concealed weapon, larceny, escaping from prison and multiple DWI offenses stretching back to the 1970s, was noted in charging. He was held at the Rowan County Detention Center without bond while the investigation continued. Few details about the events leading to the shooting have been released.

If anyone knew Kristy Rothwell Hiatt or has information about what happened that night, contact the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office.