Woman, 25, faces murder charge in Tampa shooting, stabbing death

TAMPA — A 25-year-old Brandon woman was arrested on Thursday in connection with the Sept. 30 murder of Justin Heilig in Hyde Park, according to Tampa police.

Melissa McNutt faces charges of first-degree murder and armed robbery, police said.

Heilig, 34, of Salisbury, N.C., was found bleeding in front of a porch along the 600 block of S Willow Avenue at about 4:30 a.m., police said. He had been shot and stabbed. He was taken to a hospital and later died.

Detectives said they found a bloody knife and Pandora bracelet at the crime scene at E Swann Street and S Willow Avenue. Then they learned that Heilig had been with McNutt.

They met in Ybor City, and Heilig was seen getting into the passenger seat of her 2015 Black Nissan Altima, police said. That car matched the vehicle seen leaving the neighborhood on surveillance cameras when residents heard gunshots near S Willow Avenue.

McNutt's DNA was also found on the bracelet, police said.

Police did not disclose how Heilig and McNutt knew each other. McNutt, of 623 Talwood Circle Apt. D in Brandon, is being held without bail

The investigation is still ongoing. To be eligible for a $3,000 cash reward, anyone with information about this case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-8477, send an anonymous tip online via www.crimestopperstb.com or send a mobile tip using the P3 Tips Mobile app.