North Carolina man arrested after his girlfriend’s decomposed remains were found inside apartment

WILMINGTON, N.C. (TCN) -- A 31-year-old man faces charges after allegedly killing his girlfriend and stabbing himself with a knife when officers tried to apprehend him.

According to the Wilmington Police Department, on April 22, officers performed a welfare check at an apartment on Jean Rabin Way, where they found 31-year-old Holly Petteys’ remains. Investigators believe her body had been in the home for several days, and "decomposition was a factor."

Lt. Greg Willett with the Wilmington Police Department told WECT-TV, "We’d received a call to go to the address essentially for a welfare check. Some neighbors had discovered an odor from an apartment," adding, "It does happen, but it’s safe to say this is a more unique case."

Upon further investigation, authorities identified the victim’s boyfriend, Michael Lavelle, as a person of interest. While officers were at the apartment, Lavelle returned, but he had altered his appearance. Lavelle reportedly saw police and fled on foot to a nearby ditch.

Lavelle allegedly began stabbing himself with a knife before an officer Tased him and took him into custody. He was transported to a hospital in critical condition but has been charged with first-degree murder and resist/delay/obstruct.

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