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Shortly after confessed killer Zachary David Hughes testified in open court that music producer John Mello offered him money to kill the mother of his young daughter — 41-year-old veterinary technician Christina Parcell — the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) announced Mello had been arrested and charged in connection with her murder.
Although the jury in Hughes’ high-profile ‘Rose Petal Murder’ trial has heard Mello’s name countless times over the last week-and-a-half, until today he remained a mysterious figure in these proceedings as he had not been called to testify — by either side.
The mystery of Mello – and uncertainly related to his alleged proximity to Parcell’s murder – evaporated for jurors on Wednesday afternoon (February 19, 2025) as Hughes took the stand in his own defense and described in detail Mello’s alleged role in the crime,.
Parcell’s ex-boyfriend and the father of her young daughter, Mello was the primary focus of the investigation in the immediate aftermath of her murder due to an ongoing, contentious custody battle. Investigators initially focused their attention on the 64-year-old from Greenville, S.C. – but soon determined he was in Italy at the time of the murder. Hughes was eventually identified as a suspect due to his friendship with the music producer.
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Watch Zach Hughes' testimony that led to John Mello's recent arrest. https://t.co/8V6ACbjcSv pic.twitter.com/RqKqeuA1Px
— FITSNews (@fitsnews) February 19, 2025
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According to Hughes, Mello asked him in May of 2021 that if he believed his young daughter was in grave danger, would he be willing to kill Parcell for $5,000. According to Hughes testimony – delivered before a packed courtroom hanging on his every word – about three weeks later, Mello broached the subject again. This time, he allegedly offered Hughes $10,000. Hughes testified he was “shocked and insulted by the request” and gave Mello an “immediate and unequivocal no.”
During his testimony regarding the day of Parcell’s murder, Hughes testified Mello told him when his daughter would be at school – and that he believed Parcell had a job interview that morning. This information ultimately gave Hughes a timeframe in which to commit the murder.
Shortly after S.C. circuit court judge Patrick C. Fant III adjourned court for lunch, GCSO released a statement announcing Mello’s arrest.
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“Investigators with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office have made another arrest in connection with the murder of Christina Parcell, who was killed on October 13, 2021,” a statement from the office of sheriff Hobart Lewis noted.
“Based on open court testimony during the active trial of Zachary Hughes, along with existing evidence, investigators with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office obtained warrants on 64-year-old John Joey Mello in connection with the death of Parcell,” Lewis added.
Mello was apprehended by members of GCSO fugitive apprehension specialized investigations team at his residence at 1:30 p.m. EST on Wednesday. He has been charged with accessory before the fact to a felony and solicitation to commit a felony.
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John Mello's booking photo has been posted to the Greenville County Detention Center site. @fitsnews pic.twitter.com/ZvAukJ5c8q
— Jennifer Wood (@IndyJenn_) February 19, 2025
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Mello is scheduled for a bond hearing in Greenville County at 9:30 p.m. EST on Wednesday evening.
As with anyone accused of committing any crime, Mello is considered innocent until proven guilty by our criminal justice system – or until such time as he may wish to enter some form of allocution in connection with a plea agreement with prosecutors related to any of the charges filed against him.
While the Mello drama captured headlines, there were numerous other significant developments in this case. For example, Hughes received a six-month prison sentence for contempt of court after repeatedly referencing child sex abuse allegations that judge Fant previously ruled were inadmissible.
Stay tuned for additional reporting on the other major events of the day…
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BACKGROUND…
The body of Christina Parcell was discovered shortly after 11:00 a.m. EST on October 13, 2021 in the front living room of a suburban home owned by her sister. She was found, unresponsive, by her fiancée, Bradly Post. According to Post, he placed multiple calls to Parcell on the morning of her murder – calls which went unanswered. When he drove to the home to check on her, he found her savagely slain.
Greenville County sheriff Hobart Lewis confirmed Parcell had been “brutally stabbed multiple times” and “murdered in a very violent way.”
As we exclusively reported at the time, the killer sprinkled rose petals – or deadheaded roses – around Parcell’s body after dragging (and posing) her in the front living room of the 2,100-square foot home owned by her sister
“Rose petals were sprinkled around her body,” a source familiar with the killing told this news outlet. “She was dragged – there were drag marks. The scene was staged.”
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Officially, Parcell’s cause of death was recorded by the Greenville county coroner as a homicide due to “multiple sharp force injuries.”
According to forensic pathologist Claire Rose, “there were thirty-five sharp force injuries to Ms. Parcell,” including 27 to the head and neck area. Among those wounds were six separate stab wounds to the right side of Parcell’s neck – wounds which perforated both her right carotid artery and her right jugular vein.
Hughes was arrested on November 3, 2021 by GCSO deputies and charged with Parcell’s murder. The arrest shocked the Upstate seeing as he had no known connection to Parcell at the time of his arrest. Hughes has been held without bond at the Greenville County detention center since his apprehension.
At the time of her murder, Parcell was involved in an extremely contentious custody battle with 64-year-old John Mello – her ex-boyfriend and the father of her young daughter. Mello and Hughes were “very close friends,” Wilkins has claimed, and the two reportedly used the encrypted smartphone application WhatsApp to communicate with each other.
In fact, Mello and Hughes are said to have exchanged at least 1,769 encrypted WhatsApp messages.
In September of 2023, Hughes and Mello were charged with first degree harassment and conspiracy for allegedly disseminating nude photos of Parcell to an undisclosed group of recipients. Those charges are still pending.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …
Jenn Wood is FITSNews’ incomparable research director. She’s also the producer of the FITSFiles and Cheer Incorporated podcasts and leading expert on all things Murdaugh/ South Carolina justice. A former private investigator with a criminal justice degree, evildoers beware, Jenn Wood is far from your average journalist! A deep dive researcher with a passion for truth and a heart for victims, this mom of two is pretty much a superhero in FITSNews country. Did we mention she’s married to a rocket scientist? (Lucky guy!) Got a story idea or a tip for Jenn? Email her at jenn@fitsnews.com.
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4 comments
Hughes’ testimony just dug his hole deeper AND finally got the real instigator. arrested. Sadly, the three of them (Hughes, Mello and Post) will probably not get what they really deserve. It’s a shame we don’t still occasionally hang criminals on the courthouse lawn.
Maybe his “friend” Winn should be looked into as well. Pretty “cozy” relationship that evolved in a rather short period between them.
Absolutely. Can’t believe Wyche firm is continuing to allow itself to be drug down by Winn’s association with Hughes and involvement in this case.
Agree with The Colonel. All the players involved are disgusting.