Son arrested in Myrtle Beach

by Josh Lanier



A husband and wife were found dead inside their Centennial neighborhood home Friday, Sept. 30, around 1 p.m. and their son has been named a person of interest in the case.
Stephanie Boardman Hamilton, 55, and James Ralph Hamilton, 73, were found dead around 1 p.m., after their daughter came to the 13115 Centennial Commons Drive to visit and no one answered the door, police said.
How they were killed is not being released.
Their son, 25-year-old David Hamilton, who lived at the home with his parents, was quickly deemed a person of interest in the case and was arrested in Myrtle Beach on Saturday, Oct. 1, on an outstanding parole violation, Huntersville police said.
At a bond hearing Saturday, Hamilton showed little emotion and only spoke to answer questions from the judge, according to the Herald Weekly’s news partner WBTV.
“There’s not a great likelihood that I’m going to release you on bond, but I would be happy if you wish to tell me anything about yourself; I’d be happy to consider that,” Judge Scott Long said.
“I don’t think I want anything for myself, your honor,” Hamilton said.
Judge Long denied Hamilton bond and Hamilton waived his right to an extradition hearing saying, “I think your honor that I would like to be picked up.”
Investigators have 20 days to bring Hamilton back to the area.
Some neighbors said Hamilton has had his share of emotional challenges.
“He was having some issues. They were trying to work it out and deal with it. So I’m not sure if this had anything to do with it or not,” neighbor Melanie Stankiewicz told WBTV.
Sources told WBTV Hamilton was arrested by the Secret Service in Washington D.C. in early April after jumping the fence of the German Embassy.
Court records also show Hamilton later spent time in a mental institution, but was released a few months ago.  After that, he moved in with his parents at the home where the murders happened.
Hamilton is currently serving five years probation after being convicted of breaking and entering and theft in Iredell County in 2007, court records show.
James and Stephanie Hamilton were both retired pilots for Piedmont Airlines. James Hamilton was a U.S. Marine Vietnam War veteran and a Georgia state senator from 1974 until 1976.
Stephanie Hamilton was born in Texas and was recently working for U.S. Airways.
A memorial service was held Thursday, Oct. 6. Their son’s name was not included in the obituary sent out to media outlets.
“Anyone with any information big or small, we want to speak with,” Huntersville Deputy Chief Michael Kee said. “All the information we’re getting from neighbors has been a big help … We just want anything to help us get justice for these two people.”
Investigators are asking anyone with information about the killings to contact Kee at the Huntersville Police Department at 704-464-5400.