Kristy Rothwell Hiatt, a 48-year-old woman from Rockwell, North Carolina, was found dead on March 12, 2022. Authorities discovered her body in a bedroom at a residence on Cannon Street Extension in Rockwell. She had suffered a fatal gunshot wound. The Rowan County Sheriff's Office, along with officers from the Rockwell Police Department, responded to the scene at approximately 7:40 p.m. on the day of the incident. Upon arrival, they encountered Melvin Douglas Morton, a 60-year-old man from Salisbury, North Carolina, in the living room of the residence. Morton was subsequently charged with murder and possession of a firearm by a felon.
The investigation revealed that Kristy Rothwell Hiatt was the victim of a gunshot wound, and Morton was found in possession of a .22 revolver. Morton has a long history of criminal activity dating back to the 1970s, including convictions for assault with a deadly weapon, breaking and entering, common law robbery, armed robbery, carrying a concealed weapon, larceny, escaping from prison, and multiple instances of driving while impaired. Despite not having been convicted of a crime since 1997, Morton's criminal past played a significant role in the charges brought against him in connection with Hiatt's death.
Following the discovery of Kristy Rothwell Hiatt's body, Morton was taken into custody and held at the Rowan County Detention Center without bond. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Hiatt's death is ongoing, with authorities continuing to gather evidence and build their case against Morton. The tragic incident has left the community in shock, as they grapple with the loss of a 48-year-old woman whose life was cut short by a senseless act of violence.
