Zerric Miller, a 25-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on February 17, 2021, in Melbourne, Florida. The incident occurred in a residence on Forest Run Drive, where Zerric lived with his family. On that fateful morning, Melbourne police received multiple calls reporting gunshots from the home. Upon arrival, officers discovered three adults with gunshot wounds. Zerric Miller and his mother, Nicole Miller, a 45-year-old African American female, were found dead at the scene.
The third individual, later identified as Nicole, was initially alive but succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.
The investigation revealed that the perpetrator was Stephen Hewson, a 73-year-old Caucasian male, who was Zerric's step-grandfather. Hewson fatally shot Zerric and Nicole before turning the gun on himself, committing suicide prior to the arrival of law enforcement. The motive behind this tragic event remains unclear, with police only citing intrafamilial friction and previous disturbances at the residence. There were no other suspects involved, and the incident was deemed isolated to the family home.
The Melbourne Police Department conducted a thorough investigation, but no further arrests or suspects were identified. The case was classified as a double murder-suicide, and no litigation or law cases have been reported in connection with the deaths of Zerric and Nicole Miller. The community was left in shock and mourning, with a GoFundMe campaign raising funds to cover the funeral expenses for the victims. This tragic event underscores the devastating impact of domestic violence and the importance of addressing underlying familial conflicts before they escalate into such irreversible outcomes.
