Brunswick Co. Sheriff’s Office investigating overnight murder

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A man accused of stiffing a cab driver is now a murder suspect.

The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office says around 1:30 a.m. Saturday deputies responded to 6149 Sawdust Lane in Winnabow for a report of a defrauding incident involving a taxi cab.

While deputies searched for the suspect, they found a man unresponsive in the bathroom. The deputies called for EMS, which pronounced Tom Heller dead.

Deputies then found and arrested the suspect, John Heller, 22, who had a gun. Heller is in the Brunswick County Detention Facility without bond. He is charged with murder robbery with dangerous weapon, two counts of assault by pointing a gun and hiring with intent to defraud.