In the late summer of 2016, the quiet community of Millington, Tennessee, was shaken by the violent death of one of its own. Paul Charles Jr., a 58-year-old retired employee of the City of Memphis Division of Public Works, was a man known for his kindness and generosity. His life, however, came to a tragic end when he was discovered deceased in his home. He was a male.
In the weeks leading up to his death, Charles had extended a helping hand to a couple, David Willingham and his girlfriend Roxie Hayes, by allowing them to stay in his home. However, the arrangement soured, and after they departed, Charles discovered that a number of his possessions, including firearms, a crossbow, and a gold ring, were missing. He reported the theft to the Shelby County Sheriff's deputies on August 25, 2016, and was reportedly in contact with Willingham, who at one point admitted to the theft and agreed to return the items, but later refused after an argument.
On September 15, 2016, the situation escalated tragically when Paul Charles Jr. was found dead in the living room of his house near the Shelby Forest area. He had sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head. The investigation into his death quickly focused on the recent theft and the individuals he had been trying to help.
Investigators discovered that the items reported stolen by Charles had been pawned by David Willingham and Roxie Hayes. This discovery led to their swift arrest. While both were initially charged in connection with the theft, authorities identified David Willingham as the primary suspect in the murder of Paul Charles Jr. They were both held on a one-million-dollar bond. The death of the well-liked and respected community member marked a grim statistic for Shelby County, being recorded as the 13th homicide of that year.
