Charles Michael Haywood, 22, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the Aug. 24 death of 42-year-old Margaret Bracey. The Surf City business owner was fatally stabbed while working at Exotic Hemp Company when a suspect was caught on camera walking into the store, talking to her, grabbing cash when she opened the register and then stabbing her multiple times. Mr Haywood returned that day with a bleeding hand to the home he was temporarily sharing with his mother, who took him to hospital for treatment, according to local reports. She later saw surveillance footage depicting her son in connection with the killing — and took him to the police station, where he was arrested, the morning after the killing, according to warrants obtained by WECT. Haywood was charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery in the Aug. 24 stabbing death of Margaret Bracey, 42. (Surf City Police Department) Mr Haywood allegedly stole about $750 worth of merchandise and cash, put it in his backpack and then left his sweatpants and bandana at the scene – leaving in just his shirt, boxers and flip-flops, WECT reported . Police followed a trail of blood drops to an intersection about 700 feet from the home Haywood shared with his mother. “[Haywood’s mother] brought Haywood to the Surf City Police Department where he was interviewed and eventually arrested for first degree murder and armed robbery,” the documents state, according to WECT. “During the interview [Haywood’s mother]advised that Haywood had returned to her residence with his shirt wrapped around his arm. [She] stated that Haywood entered the residence and took a shower. [She] stated that he checked on Haywood and found that he had a laceration to his hand that required medical attention. “[She] stated that Haywood placed the shirt that had been wrapped around his arm in a garbage bag and placed the garbage bag in the outside trash can.” WECT reported that police seized Haywood’s clothing, medical records and surveillance from the hospital where he was being treated. Margaret Nicole Bracey, 42, was working at Exotic Hemp in Surf City when she was killed during a robbery last month (Instagram/Margaret Nicole Bracey) Mr Haywood has been charged with murder and armed robbery and is being held without bail. The 22-year-old – who was originally from Holly Springs, about two hours inland – made his first court appearance on August 26. The Pender County District Attorney is pushing for the death penalty, WWAY reported. “I know this is a case that has shocked the community,” DA Ben David told the station. “I know this is something that a lot of people have focused on, and we certainly make it a very high priority in the criminal justice system.” Tributes have poured in for Ms Bracey. A man who answered the phone at her store on Friday told the Independent that no manager was available to speak. “Like everyone else who loves you, we are all in disbelief and wish we could wake up from this nightmare,” a friend wrote on the victim’s Facebook page. Surf City Mayor Doug Medlin echoed those sentiments. “We just don’t understand that,” he told WWAY. “I mean, we’ve had people come in and steal things, and things like that, but nothing like a robbery, and then especially someone getting killed in the process, so that’s what really shocks the city.”
