Pianist Zachary Hughes Life and Shocking Story: Crime, Murder, Motive, Arrest, Confession and Trial

Zachary Hughes is a pianist from South Carolina who was trained at Juilliard. In 2021, Zachary Hughes was arrested and later admitted to killing Christina Parcell in her home in Greenville County.

During his trial in February 2025, Zachary Hughes confessed to the killing but claimed it was not a crime. Zachary Hughes defense argued that he believed he was protecting an innocent child—Parcell daughter. However, the prosecution stated that the murder was carefully planned.

On the day of the incident, Zachary Hughes traveled to Parcell home in Greer, avoiding traffic cameras. Zachary Hughes approached the house on a bicycle, carrying a box of roses, gloves, a gun, a knife, and paint thinner. Zachary Hughes rang the doorbell and pretended to deliver the flowers. Once inside, Zachary Hughes pulled out a gun and attacked Parcell. She fought back, but Zachary Hughes continued striking her until she died.

Parcell, a 41-year-old veterinary technician, was found dead on October 13, 2021. The coroner reported she had multiple stab wounds.

A jury found Zachary Hughes guilty of murder, burglary, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Zachary Hughes was sentenced to life in prison, with additional time for weapon possession and harassment charges.

Sheriff Hobart Lewis described the attack as brutal and said authorities believed Parcell was specifically targeted. Zachary Hughes turned himself in to police and was formally charged by the Greenville County Sheriff Office.

FAQs 

1. Who is Zachary Hughes?

- Zachary Hughes is a South Carolina pianist trained at Juilliard, who was convicted of murdering Christina Parcell in 2021.

2. Who was Christina Parcell?

- Christina Parcell was a 41-year-old veterinary technician from Greenville County, South Carolina, who was brutally murdered in her home.

3. What was Zachary Hughes convicted of?

- Zachary Hughes was found guilty of murder, first-degree burglary, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and second-degree harassment charges.

4. What was Zachary Hughes sentence?

- Zachary Hughes was sentenced to life in prison for murder and burglary, with additional time for weapon possession and harassment charges.

5. How did Zachary Hughes kill Christina Parcell?

- Zachary Hughes stabbed Parcell multiple times after entering her home under the pretense of delivering flowers.

6. Why did Zachary Hughes say he killed Christina Parcell?

- During his trial, Zachary Hughes claimed he believed the killing was justified and that he was protecting an innocent child—Parcell’s daughter.

7. How did Zachary Hughes get to Christina Parcell home?

- Zachary Hughes drove his Ford pickup truck to a nearby area, avoided traffic cameras, then rode a bicycle to her home while carrying a box of roses.

8. When and where did the murder of Christina Parcell happen?

- The murder took place on October 13, 2021, in the Canebrake neighborhood of Greer, South Carolina.

9. What evidence did prosecutors use against Zachary Hughes?

- Prosecutors argued that the murder was premeditated, pointing to Zachary Hughes planned movements, disguise, and the weapons he carried.

10. Did Zachary Hughes confess to the murder?

- Yes, Zachary Hughes admitted in court to killing Parcell but denied committing a crime, arguing he had a justifiable reason.