Holly Springs man sentenced to life for 2022 murder of Surf City woman

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A Holly Springs man has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree murder in the 2022 stabbing death of a Surf City woman.

Charles Haywood, 26, appeared in Pender County Superior Court Friday and pleaded guilty to killing Margaret “Nicki” Bracey.

Haywood had been charged with first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon. Prosecutors had initially planned to seek the death penalty before reaching a plea agreement that resulted in a life sentence.

District Attorney Jason Smith said Haywood stabbed Bracey while she was working at Exotic Hemp Company in Surf City on Aug. 24, 2022.

Smith told WWAY that Bracey was stabbed multiple times, including 16 times in the neck.

“Not only just the brutality of it, Nicki was stabbed 16 times in her neck alone, multiple times throughout her torso, in her head and back. Heinous,” Smith said.

Smith described the scene as the most brutal crime scene he has encountered.

According to Smith, Haywood stole $750 from the business after killing Bracey. He said the attack was captured on surveillance video.

Three members of Bracey’s family addressed the court during Friday’s hearing and delivered victim impact statements.

Haywood will spend the rest of his life in prison.