Christina Parcell began dating John Mello in December 2008. Their relationship was tumultuous, but in 2012, they welcomed their first child together. However, conflicts between them escalated, and in October 2015, John J. Mello filed for custody of their daughter. On January 4, 2016, the Pickens County Family Court granted Mello sole custody of the child.

That same year, Christina began dating Bradley Post and pursued legal action to secure visitation rights with her daughter. On August 10, 2016, a visitation order was granted, allowing her scheduled visits while Mello retained sole custody.

In 2017, Mello filed a motion to revoke Christina’s visitation rights, citing allegations of inappropriateness and potential abuse involving Christina and her then-boyfriend, Bradley Post.

After ongoing legal proceedings, Christina and Mello reached a formal visitation agreement on January 28, 2019. This agreement was finalized by the Greenville County Family Court on February 4, 2019, outlining Christina’s scheduled time with her child.

One evening in 2020, while Zachary David Hughes was performing downtown, John Mello and his daughter, A.M., approached him. Mello, noticing Zack’s musical talent, mentioned that A.M. loved Clair de Lune and requested that he play it for her. Zack happily obliged, and from that moment, a friendship between Mello and Zack began to develop. As their friendship grew, Zack and Mello spent more time together. In early October 2020, they gathered to celebrate Zack’s birthday. The evening was filled with laughter and lighthearted conversation, but as the night drew to a close, Mello’s demeanor changed. He confided in Zack about his constant worry for A.M., who was away on a trip with her mother. He expressed deep concerns about her well-being whenever she was alone with her mother, hinting at a troubling dynamic.

Then, Mello revealed his plan—he intended to take A.M. and move to Italy when she returned. He spoke of it with conviction, as if it were the only course of action left to protect his daughter. Zack, unaware of the legal implications, listened but did not realize the gravity of Mello’s intentions.

True to his word, Mello carried out his plan. Without notifying authorities or abiding by legal rulings, he left the country with A.M., violating a court order. Zack, unknowingly caught in the middle, had no idea that his friend’s actions would set off a chain of legal consequences and leave a trail of unanswered questions. Zack was relieved when Mello and A.M. moved to Italy. Mello was interesting and a good conversationalist, but he could be loud. Also, he was glad that Mello and A.M. were pursuing a better life in Italy. Communication between Zack and Mello slowed and became sporadic, as both moved on with their lives. 

By April 2021, John Mello’s communications with Zack had increased dramatically. Their previous conversations had been lighthearted, but now, Mello was frantic. Christina Parcell had traveled to Italy and taken A.M. from him, bringing her back to Greenville.

Mello had left for Italy in secret, believing he was protecting his daughter. However, Parcell, backed financially by her boyfriend Bradley Post, was relentless. She made multiple trips to Italy, each time determined to retrieve A.M. and return her to Greenville. What seemed like a custody dispute on the surface masked something far more sinister—Parcell and Post’s alleged continued victimization of A.M.

Zack, unaware of the full extent of the situation, found himself caught in the middle of an international custody struggle. Mello’s desperation was evident, but the forces working against him were powerful. What had started as a father’s attempt to protect his child had now escalated into a legal and moral battle with devastating consequences…….

On October 13, 2021, Christina Parcell’s life came to a brutal and perplexing end. She was found murdered in her home, her body eerily surrounded by rose petals—an unsettling detail that hinted at a deeper, more personal motive behind the crime.

The discovery of her body sent shock waves through the community. Christina’s past was fraught with custody battles, legal disputes, and personal conflicts, making the investigation complex. Authorities from the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) meticulously combed through the crime scene, uncovering disturbing details that deepened the mystery surrounding her death.

Inside the living room near her body, investigators found memory cards and a laptop, along with a clear ziplock bag containing a white powder substance stained with dried blood. Nearby, they recovered Christina’s cell phone, which was later analyzed for data extraction. Her purse, containing two envelopes filled with $500 each, was discovered on a table near the hallway.

In another room, deputies located a small single-shot firearm hidden inside a bag within a suitcase. Christina’s bedroom revealed multiple documents related to an ongoing custody battle, alongside several USB drives. Investigators also found bed sheets stained with what appeared to be blood. A Bluestar spray test conducted in various areas of the home, including the bathrooms, suggested the possible presence of additional traces of blood.

As the investigation unfolded, law enforcement made several arrests, unraveling a web of unexpected connections and unsettling truths. Christina’s murder was not just a crime—it was a statement, a chilling act that left behind more questions than answers. For those who knew her, the search for justice had only just begun.

2008

• December 2008 Christina Parcell began dating Mello.

2012

• Christina Parcell and John Mello, who had a contentious relationship, welcomed their first child together.

October 2015

• John J. Mello filed for custody of his daughter.

January 4, 2016

• John J. Mello was granted sole custody of the minor child by the Pickens County Family Court.

2016

• Christina and Bradley Post began dating.
• Christina Parcell filed for visitation rights for her child.

August 10, 2016

• A visitation order was granted, allowing Christina Parcell scheduled visitation with the minor child while sole custody remained with John Mello.

2017

• John Mello filed to revoke Christina Parcell visitation, alleging inappropriateness and/or abuse by Parcell and her then-boyfriend, Bradley Post.

January 28, 2019

• Mello and Parcell agreed on a visitation schedule for Christina Parcell, formalized by Greenville County Family Court on February 4, 2019.

2019

• Zachary David Hughes began training at the Marine Corps Officer Candidates School in Quantico, Virginia.
• Despite earning top marks, he was unable to complete the program due to severe stress fractures in both legs, according to his website.

2020

• Zachary David Hughes was performing downtown, John Mello and his daughter, A.M., approached him. Mello, noticing Zack’s musical talent, mentioned that A.M. loved Clair de Lune and requested that he play it for her. Zack happily obliged, and from that moment, a friendship between Mello and Zack began to develop. As their friendship grew, Zack and Mello spent more time together.
• In early October 2020, they gathered to celebrate Zack’s birthday. The evening was filled with laughter and lighthearted conversation, but as the night drew to a close, Mello’s demeanor changed. He confided in Zack about his constant worry for A.M., who was away on a trip with her mother. He expressed deep concerns about her well-being whenever she was alone with her mother, hinting at a troubling dynamic.
• Zachary David Hughes began working for John Mello, performing household tasks.

October 4, 2020

• John Mello, an Italian citizen, moved to Italy with his daughter without informing Christina Parcell.

October 30, 2020

• Christina Parcell filed a Rule to Show Cause, alleging Mello violated the February 2019 visitation order.

December 16, 2020

• Vanessa Kormylo was appointed Guardian ad Litem for the minor child, and John Mello was found in contempt of the visitation order.

March 2021

• Christina Parcell moved into a house on Canebrake Drive with her sister.

April 14, 2021

• The Italian Central Authority ordered the minor child to return to the U.S. pending resolution of the custody case.

April, 2021

• After Christina Parcell returned from a trip to Italy, Bradley Post proposed to her at the airport

April 17, 2021

• John Mello instructed Zachary Hughes via WhatsApp to “harass the shit” out of Christina Parcell. John Mello was determined to prove that Christina Parcell and her boyfriend, Bradley Post, posed a serious threat to A.M. To support his claims, he provided Zack with a trove of information to use against her: online sex ads linked to Parcell, which Mello claimed were proof of her involvement in prostitution. Mello also handed Zack a transcript from a 2016 family court deposition, in which Parcell had invoked her Fifth Amendment right when asked direct questions about prostitution and drug use.
• They exchanged 1,769 encrypted messages, reflecting their close friendship.

April 19, 2021

• An indictment for custodial interference against John Mello was issued by Assistant Solicitor Ryan Holloway.

May 16, 2021

• Mello received two sexually explicit photos of Parcell via email and subsequently distributed them to Hughes. He told Hughes to use her online alias—Caroline Warren—which she allegedly used to lure men for paid sexual encounters. Further corroborating his allegations, Mello provided Zack with an affidavit from Alex Fields, a firefighter who claimed that in 2018, Parcell had propositioned him for sex and drugs in exchange for money.
  

May 2021

• Zachary Hughes visits Melo in Italy

June 30, 2021

• Christina’s fiance Bradley Post received the envelope. Inside, there were nude photos of Parcell, along with a list of addresses Post said he was familiar with, and a link to a website. Bradley Post and Christina believed the envelopes might have been sent by the father of Parcell’s child, John Mello, to threaten their relationship. The sheriff’s office was notified and an investigation opened.

July 2021

• Packages containing the explicit photographs of Parcell were mailed to multiple locations, including:
• Parcell’s workplace (Norris Financial of Greenville)
• Two of Parcell’s neighbors
• Bradley Post – Christina’s Fiance
• Outman Cigars and Martini Bar (a place frequented by Parcell and Post)

July 21, 2021

• An arrest warrant for custodial interference was sought by Greenville County Sheriff’s officers for John Mello.

September, 2021

• Zack believing Christina Parcell and Bradley Post, were endangering A.M. Convinced of the child’s suffering, he contacted the Department of Social Services (DSS) to report the abuse..
  

October 8-13, 2021

• Mello and Hughes exchanged WhatsApp messages leading up to Parcell’s murder. Zack Believing he was A.M.’s only hope, set his plan into motion.
  

Evidence from April 2021 shows Mello providing Zachary Hughes with Parcell’s number via WhatsApp, instructing him to “harass the s— out of her.” Mello also mailed Parcell’s neighbors envelopes containing nude images of her from an escort site:

October 12, 2021

• Hughes’ iPhone was placed in airplane mode twice, one day before the murder.

October 13, 2021

Christina Parcell was found brutally murdered in her home. Key timeline of the day:

• 4:30 AM: Zachary Hughes wakes up
• 8:15 AM: Zachary Hughes spotted at 117 Canebrake Drive.
• Morning – Christina Parcell had a job interview. She also spoke with her fiancé, Bradley Post that morning.
• 9:07 AM – Christina Parcell arrived home at 122 Canebrake Drive.
• 9:15 AM – Hughes, dressed in a gray hoodie and black backpack, rides his bike to Parcell’s house.
• He carries a bouquet of roses and rings the doorbell.
• Pretending to have a delivery for Christina’s sister, Lutina, he lures Parcell to the door.
• When Parcell confirms Lutina isn’t home, Hughes pulls a gun from the box of roses and forces her inside.
• Hughes strikes Parcell on the head with an unloaded revolver but hesitates upon seeing her as a “sympathetic figure.”
• Parcell fights back, sensing his hesitation.
• Hughes loses control and begins repeatedly striking her until both fall to the floor.
• Parcell stops moving.
• Hughes composes himself and prepares to leave the scene.
• 9:27 AM: Hughes left home and on a bicycle.
• 9:28 AM: Zachary Hughes is spotted on his bike at 207 Saratoga Drive, 0.4 miles from the crime scene.
• Bradley Post tried to get hold of Christina but unsuccessful. He drove to check on her.
  
• 11:00 AM: Bradly Post found Christina Parcell body and called 911:

“I think I might have a death,”

After transferring his call, he told the EMS operator there was a very weird smell and that he found Parcell laying flat on the floor. The operator provides Post instructions on how to give CPR. Post said:

“I think she’s gone,” .

When the operator asked if Post believed his fiancée was no longer “viable,” Post replied that there was “a lot of blood” and that her “eyes are open.”

• While waiting for police to arrive at the scene, Bradley Post was actively deleting photos from his phone. Note: He retained possession of his phone until October 19, allowing time for potential evidence to be erased before law enforcement could seize and examine the device.
• He told Detectives:

“It was dark, quiet and so I walked back down the hallway to see if she was in the bathroom or shower and it was all dark. I looked on the floor and right at the entrance of the living room and at the entrance of that hallway there were petals from a rose,” explained Post. “As I looked, I looked into the room and I saw her on her back.” “I walked over and yelled at her and then called 911”

• Responding deputy noted a strong chemical smell within the house when they arrived. Additionally, a substance that appeared to be cocaine was collected from the crime scene. It was later tested by a specialist and was confirmed a controlled substance. During the deputy’s interview, “Post became. nervous and asked if he needed to speak with his lawyer” Police asked Post to accompany them while they searched the residence. Strangely, Post wore gloves during the process.

Crime Scene Findings Timeline – October 13, 2021

Initial Discovery

• 11:00 AM – Bradley Post found Christina Parcell’s body inside her home at 122 Canebrake Drive and called 911.
• Law enforcement arrived on the scene and secured the area.

Initial Observations

• Christina Parcell’s body was found inside her home, surrounded by rose petals.
• A clear ziplock bag containing a white powdery substance with dried blood spots was found on the living room table.
• A cell phone was located near Parcell’s body.
• Her purse, containing two envelopes with $500 each, was found on a table near the hallway.

Forensic and Digital Evidence

• Memory cards and a laptop were found in the living room near her body.
• A small single-shot firearm was located inside a bag within a suitcase in a back room.
• In Parcell’s bedroom, officers found multiple documents related to an ongoing custody battle.
• Several USB drives were also recovered from the bedroom.

Blood Evidence and Forensic Testing

• Bed sheets stained with what appeared to be blood were collected.
• A Bluestar forensic spray test was conducted in various areas, The test indicated the possible presence of blood in multiple locations.

Investigation Developments

• Authorities reviewed surveillance footage in the surrounding area to track movements before and after the crime.
• Hughes was identified as a suspect after forensic evidence, digital records, and witness statements placed him at the scene.
• Digital forensic analysis of recovered electronic devices provided further evidence in the investigation.

October 14, 2021

• The coroner confirmed Parcell was stabbed approximately 31 times;
• DNA was found under her fingernails.

October 19, 2021

• Bradley Post voluntarily met with Investigator Jarrad Sparkman at the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office ( GCSO ) for a recorded interview as part of the investigation into Christina Parcell’s murder.
• During the interview, Sparkman seized Post’s phone pursuant to a lawfully obtained search warrant. – Investigators suspected that Post’s communications, digital records, or media files might provide insight into Parcell’s murder or possible motives. However, the phone’s contents unveiled something even more disturbing. Numerous images of CSAM material. Direct evidence involving both Christina Parcell and A.M.
• Bradly Post was arrested on six charges of sexual exploitation of a minor after CSAM materials was found on his electronic devices during the investigation.

October 21, 2021

• John Mello returned from Italy after Parcell’s murder and was served with a custodial interference warrant.

October 22, 2021

• Detectives interviewed Michael Manigault who worked for John Mello, he told detectives that he and Zachary Hughes did a little work around Mello’s house.
• After that interview Detectives began researching Zachary Hughes, they learned Hughes lived at a home on Tindal Avenue within the city limits of Greenville. It’s in an area with active police cameras equipped with license plate readers.
• Detectives learned that During booking at the detention center, Mello listed Zachary Hughes as his only contact for communication while incarcerated. Mello also recorded an iPhone video granting Hughes exclusive rights to collect his luggage and medication from the Charlotte airport.

Investigation into Zachary David Hughes:

• A Ring camera was obtained from a home across the street also captured Hughes “dressed in a black hoodie and a backpack entering the front door” of Parcell’s home just before she was killed. Hughes was later seen on another Ring camera “leaving the subdivision on a bicycle” after Parcell’s murder
• Music producer John Mello and concert pianist Zach Hughes, two key figures in the Christina Parcell Murder case, were charged with first-degree harassment and conspiracy in Greenville County, South Carolina. Mello allegedly sent nude images of Parcell to Hughes, who then distributed them to others. Hughes, already charged with Parcell’s murder in 2021, remains in custody.
• Prosecutors have obtained evidence of the image exchange between Mello and Hughes.
• FLOCK license plate reading cameras showed Hughes’s truck with a bicycle in the bed on the day before and the day of the murder. The bicycle matched the one seen leaving Parcell’s neighborhood. Image
  A search of Hughes’s residence revealed a bicycle matching the FLOCK camera images, and a witness confirmed that Hughes owned and recently used the bicycle. Image
• Law enforcement seized Hughes’s iPhone during the search of his residence and obtained a separate warrant to search it. A forensics technician partially downloaded the iPhone’s data, but much of it was encrypted and required a pass code for full access.
  Partial data extracted included:
• Ownership information confirming the phone belonged to Hughes.
• Approximately 1,769 WhatsApp messages between Hughes and Mello, with some messages scrambled.
• Geo-location data without time stamps.
• Photos, text messages, emails, and logs showing the phone being turned off or in airplane mode at key times.

November 3, 2021

• Zach Hughes was arrested and charged with:
• Murder
• Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime
• Harassment
• Conspiracy
• Burglary 1st Degree

April 6, 2022

• In a court hearing, Wilkins indicated Hughes’ DNA had been found under Parcell’s fingers.

September 1, 2022

• Court hearing on the State’s motion to compel Hughes to provide his iPhone pass-code.

September 20, 2022

• Circuit Court Judge ordered Hughes to provide the six-digit passcode for law enforcement to access data on his iPhone, including communications, photos, location data, internet history, financial records, and deleted data.

February 8, 2023

• Detectives unlocked the Apple iPhone 8 belonging to Zachary David Hughes”

April 2023

• Detectives obtained another search warrant for Indian Flats Trail in Marietta property. Through Hughes’ phone, investigators learned of another residence in question on Indian Flats Trail in Marietta. In April 2023, about a year and a half after the murder,
  

September 2023,

• Hughes and co-defendant Mello were charged with first-degree harassment and conspiracy for allegedly disseminating nude photos of Parcell to an undisclosed group of recipients.

March 15, 2024

• Melo filed a DSS report now accusing Lutina Parcell (Christina’s sister) of the same crime they accused Christina Report

April 15, 2024

• DSS found accusations unfounded and the judge Horner confirmed this is a family issue and not a criminal issue.
  

April 16, 2024

• John Mello Custodial interference charges dismissed.
  

February 10, 2025:

• Jury selection and pretrial motions commenced. Judge Patrick Fant III presided over the proceedings, addressing motions that would shape the trial’s direction.

February 11, 2025:

• The prosecution, led by 13th Circuit Solicitor Walt Wilkins, began presenting its case. Key testimonies included Parcell’s fiancé, Bradley Post, who recounted discovering her body, and neighbor Donna Gorman, who identified Hughes near the crime scene on the morning of the murder.

February 12-13, 2025:

• Investigators presented surveillance footage and DNA evidence linking Hughes to the crime. Cellphone data, including location information and text messages, provided insights into Hughes’ movements and possible motives.

February 14, 2025:

• The prosecution rested its case after presenting comprehensive evidence, including DNA findings and expert testimonies

February 18, 2025:

• Filed Response Motion to the State’s Motion to Prevent The Defendant From Defending himself in this case:

Zack’s defense in a murder case, emphasizing his actions to protect A.M. from abuse. Motion

• Zack Hughes is accused of killing Christina Parcell, A.M.’s mother, in an effort to protect A.M. from ongoing sexual abuse.
• Multiple reports of abuse were made to authorities, including the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and the South Carolina Department of Social Services, but no action was taken.
• Zack submitted an affidavit expressing concerns about A.M.’s well-being, yet the legal system failed to intervene effectively.
• The defense argues that evidence of CSAM material is admissible and crucial to demonstrate the severity of the abuse A.M. faced.
• Throughout the case, Zack has maintained his innocence regarding the act of killing while asserting he acted to save A.M. from serious harm.
• John Mello had primary custody of his daughter A.M. while Christina Parcell, her mother, had limited visitation rights.
• From 2017 to 2021, A.M. was sexually abused by Parcell and her fiancé, Brad Post, who took numerous explicit photographs of her.
• Mello reported the abuse to the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) in 2018, but the investigation was closed without action.
• After Parcell’s death in October 2021, evidence of child pornography involving A.M. was discovered on Post’s devices, leading to his arrest.
• A.M. was taken into emergency protective custody on October 20, 2021, due to the imminent danger she faced.
• The Guardian ad Litem, Vanessa Kormylo, initially recommended A.M. remain with Parcell, but later acknowledged she would have acted differently if aware of the abuse.
• Zack Hughes, a friend of Mello, attempted to help A.M. by contacting lawyers and reporting the abuse to authorities, but his efforts were largely ignored.
• The case highlights systemic failures in protecting A.M. from her mother and Post, who exploited her for years.

This section discusses the admissibility of child pornography evidence in a murder trial to establish justification and malice.

• Zack is charged with murder, and the child pornography evidence is crucial to demonstrate he acted without malice.
• The South Carolina Rules of Evidence state that all relevant evidence is admissible unless excluded by law.
• The child pornography evidence shows the extent of harm A.M. suffered, which is essential for the jury’s determination.
• The State must prove Zack acted “without just cause or excuse” for a murder conviction, which the evidence directly undermines.
• Self-defense has four elements, and the evidence supports that A.M. was in imminent danger, justifying Zack’s actions.
• The section cites multiple cases where similar evidence was admitted, emphasizing its probative value despite being disturbing.
• The State has opened the door for this evidence by presenting a narrative that Zack acted with malice, which the evidence rebuts.
• Excluding this evidence would deny Zack a fair trial and the jury’s opportunity to find the truth.

February 19, 2025

Zachary Hughes Testimony

• Bradley Post Allegation – Zach claimed that John Mello believed Bradley Post was a pedophile, and he asserted that Post is a pedophile. This statement was objected to and sustained, likely because it was speculative or prejudicial.
• $5,000 Murder Offer – Hughes testified that Mello initially offered him $5,000 to kill Christina Parcell if he believed Mello’s daughter was in danger. Hughes claimed he was shocked and refused.
• “A Lot More” Comment – Hughes hinted that there was much more information he had not disclosed yet. This was objected to and sustained, possibly because it suggested evidence not yet introduced or was an improper statement to the jury.
• $10,000 Murder Offer – Mello allegedly increased the offer to $10,000. Hughes stated he still refused but admitted that he might have considered it only if he was absolutely convinced that the murder was necessary to protect Mello’s daughter.

This testimony paints a picture of escalating pressure from Mello and a troubling conversation about premeditated murder. The objections sustained suggest the court was limiting speculative or prejudicial statements.

As a direct result of Hughes’ testimony, John Mello has been arrested. This arrest adds a new dimension to the case, highlighting the complex relationships and alleged conspiracies surrounding Parcell’s death.

Hughes Testimony:

• Hughes testified that his conversations with Mello became more frequent after Parcell regained custody of her daughter and returned from Italy with her. It was then, he said, that Mello began sharing more detailed concerns about Parcell.

“It wasn’t that she was immoral—she was amoral,” Hughes told the jury. “She was dead inside. A masterful manipulator and deceiver. She could lie at the drop of a hat.”

• Hughes emphasized that understanding his past experiences with his sister was crucial for the jury to grasp his reaction to Mello’s allegations about Parcell.

“I realized the incredible danger—that Christina Parcell was a glimpse into (the child’s) possible future if she remained in her custody,” he said. “And the facts have proven that I was right.”

• Wilkins immediately objected to the statement—one of many objections throughout the proceedings—prompting Judge Fant to instruct the jury to disregard Hughes’ last remark.
• Hughes testified about the information Mello shared with him regarding Parcell, including nude photos allegedly linked to escort advertisements. He also referenced an affidavit from a man in Iva, S.C., who claimed Parcell had propositioned him for sex at Hall’s Chophouse in downtown Greenville, S.C. According to the affidavit, the man declined her alleged offer—as well as an offer to sell him drugs.

At this stage, Hughes’ attorneys attempted to introduce a transcript from a deposition of Parcell that Mello had provided to Hughes.

Prosecutors objected, arguing, “They’re trying to elicit testimony from Parcell, the victim in this case,” which they contended would be prejudicial, as they had no opportunity to challenge any damaging revelations given that Parcell was deceased.

Judge Fant sustained the objection but allowed the defense to reference specific portions of the document when discussing its impact on Hughes.

• Hughes testified about the “grave concerns” Mello shared regarding his daughter’s potential exposure to her mother’s boyfriend, Bradley Post, whom Mello believed to be a pedophile. He then described to the jury the extent to which Mello was willing to go to “save his daughter.”
• According to Hughes, in May 2021, Mello asked him if he would be willing to kill Parcell for $5,000 if he truly believed the child was in grave danger. About three weeks later, Mello allegedly revisited the subject—this time offering $10,000.

Hughes told jurors he was “shocked and insulted by the request” and responded with an “immediate and unequivocal no.”

• Hughes initially believed Mello was being overly dramatic—until he witnessed the calls himself.
• Beyond noticing her weight gain, Hughes testified that he was deeply troubled by “her demeanor.”

“Her spirit was just… she was morose,” he told the jury. “She was depressed. That spunky, precocious, lively little girl I had met was just gone.”

• After returning to the U.S. in late June 2021, Hughes took action—sending mailers containing the nude photos and escort ads to neighbors, law enforcement, and the guardian ad litem involved in the child’s case. His objective? To pressure the system into intervening

“Christina Parcell and Brad Post just dug their heels in deeper after the mailers were sent,” Hughes testified.

• Shortly after, Mello told Hughes about a video call with his daughter in which Parcell appeared on screen and slid her finger across her throat—an action Mello interpreted as a direct threat.
• Mello also claimed to have received a threatening email from someone in the “biker community” allegedly associated with Bradley Post.
• On September 21, 2021—three weeks before Parcell’s murder—Hughes submitted an affidavit to family court on Mello’s behalf.
• He also filed a complaint with the South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS), posing as a neighbor who had witnessed Parcell verbally and physically abusing her daughter. His intent, he admitted, was to create an opportunity for the child to disclose to authorities that her mother was sexually abusing her.

Wilkins immediately sprang from his chair with a forceful objection, which was swiftly sustained.

• Hughes testified that he initially purchased a gun to kill Parcell but became concerned that the sound of a gunshot would alert neighbors. After failed attempts to construct a silencer, he decided to use a knife instead.
• When asked if he would have preferred a gun, Hughes responded, “I would have rather not had to do it at all, but if I had to, yes, I would have chosen a gun.”

Hughes initially planned to carry out the murder on October 12 but told jurors, “I woke up that day and just felt such reluctance—something in my gut told me it wasn’t the right day. So I waited one more day.”

• On October 13, 2021, Hughes described riding his bike to 122 Canebrake Drive, carrying a bouquet of flowers he had purchased the day before. He testified that Mello had informed him the child would be at school and that Parcell had a morning interview—details that allowed him to ensure she would be home alone when he arrived.

“This was not about revenge or retribution or anything,” Hughes insisted. “I wasn’t angry. The only thing I was feeling that day was pity.”

1:30 PM: Arrest

• The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Specialized Investigations Team arrested John Mello at his residence on 12 Blake Street in Greenville, South Carolina. This arrest follows the testimony of Zachary Hughes, who stated that Mello had twice offered him money to kill Christina Parcell and had provided details about individuals’ locations on the day of the murder. Hughes declined both offers. Mello’s arrest adds a significant development to the ongoing investigation into Parcell’s death.

9:20 PM: Bond Hearing

• John Mello was denied bond following his arrest in connection with the murder of Christina Parcell.
• The judge ruled that Mello’s case would proceed to circuit court for another bond hearing within the next 30 days.
• During bond hearing, Christina’s sister, Tina Parcell, made an emotional statement while holding Christina’s ashes.

“I brought Christina because she deserves to be here. We have waited 1,224 days for this, and I wish I could tell you it felt good, John, but it’s not going to feel good yet,” she said. “You did this to your family! Your child has to know that you did this to her family.”

February 20, 2025

• Zachary Hughes sentenced to life in prison

Sixty-three-year-old John Joey Mello, a music producer, lyricist, songwriter, and vocalist living in Greenville, South Carolina, claims to have worked with renowned artists like Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Jimmy Page, Christine McVie, Neil Young, Little Richard, and Jimmy Cliff, according to his LinkedIn profile. While his musical credentials are challenging to verify, there is evidence suggesting he has connections with several internationally recognized musicians.

Born as John Joseph Mello on August 8, 1960, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Mello had his social security card issued in California in 1973 when he was 13 years old. Mello and Linda Jemison began dating in 1983, and six years later, they opened the Doll Hut, a bar intended as a musicians’ hangout, purchased for $32,500 with funds from Jemison’s mother and stepfather.

Mello and Jemison married on August 4, 1989, but separated nine months later, leading to a contentious divorce. They initially managed the Doll Hut together on alternate nights, but the arrangement became unsustainable as their relationship deteriorated. Jemison filed for a restraining order in November 1991, citing escalating threats from Mello, supported by nine affidavits. Their divorce was finalized in September 1992, with Jemison assuming control of the club, renaming it Linda’s Doll Hut.

Between 1992 and 1995, Mello married Kasandra, who later played a key role in a murder case by testifying against her ex-husband, Kenneth Raymond, leading to his conviction. The Mellos moved to Oregon, Savannah, and finally Greenville, South Carolina, in 2004.

In Greenville, the Mello family encountered legal troubles, including harassment complaints and threats. In 2005, Kasandra reported harassment over a failed real estate deal. Mello faced accusations of unlawful phone usage in 2007 after threatening Piedmont Natural Gas employees over service disconnection. In 2014, Bobby Dorn filed a harassment complaint against Mello for online threats and blackmail after rejecting him for a music producer job.

Kasandra filed for divorce in May 2015, finalized in August. Mello then became involved with Christina Parcell, with whom he had a daughter born before his divorce from Kasandra. Their relationship was marred by domestic violence allegations in 2016 and ongoing disputes over their child.

November 9, 2021: John Mello talks about the death of Christina Parcell, the mother of this child. e says he wanted their daughter away from Christina’s fiance Bradley Post who investigators charged with CSAM material. Post remains in jail with his case turned over to the attorney general’s office.

Bradley Post, born on January 28, 1956, relocated from Ohio to South Carolina in July 1989. He first met Christina Parcell 20 years before her murder at her father’s cigar shop. The two reconnected in 2016 and began a romantic relationship.

Post, who was engaged to Christina Parcell, testified that he discovered her body in the living room, lying on her back with rose petals scattered around her.