Valerie Hamilton Found Dead, Michael Harvey Caught, Vigil Monday

by Amy Judd | September 20, 2010 at 07:19 am

1109 views | 2 Recommendations | 0 comments

Update: 8:47 am PT

Michael Harvey has been arrested in Niagara Falls New York. Local detectives are now heading to New York to bring him back to Charlotte.

Previous story:

Valerie Hamilton Was Found Dead in Charlotte on Friday Night - Her Father Concord Police Chief Merl Hamilton Appealed For Help

Merl Hamilton made an appearance on Good Morning America Monday morning, asking for the publics' help in finding 34-year-old Michael Harvey. Harvey is wanted for questioning in connection with the death of 23-year-old Valerie Hamilton.

A murder warrant has been issued for Michael Harvey, who was released from Gaston County Jail on March 31 according to the Gaston Gazette. He had been charged with vehicular breaking and entering, property damage and misdemeanor larceny. He is also a registered sex offender.

Valerie Hamilton was reported missing last week after she was last seen on September 15 with Michael Harvey. Her body was found on Friday night in a storage unit.

Merl Hamilton spoke openly about the pain of losing his daughter:

“Hug your kids, teach your kids to be safe around people they don't know, and to those kids -- even when they're 23, they're still kids,"

Michael Harvey is thought to be driving a 1996 white Chevy Blazer with a NC license plate ZXE 1756.

A candlelight vigil has been organized for Valerie Hamilton for Monday night starting at 7pm next to the Concord Police Department on Market Street. It has been sponsored by Concord city officials and the Cabarrus County chapter of Mothers of Murdered Offspring.

Cabarrus Avenue, between Union and Spring streets, and Market Street will be closed to vehicular traffic during the event. Those attending tonight's event are asked to park in the Cabarrus Avenue parking deck across from police headquarters. The deck can be reached from Union Street, using the driveway next to the library.