Going West: True Crime
Episode 564 – Christina Parcell: The Rose Petal Murder
Date: December 16, 2025
Hosts: Daphne Woolsoncroft & Heath Merryman
Episode Overview
This episode of Going West: True Crime examines the haunting 2021 murder of Christina Parcell in Greer, South Carolina—a case entangled with a bitter custody battle, manipulative relationships, and an astonishingly theatrical crime scene. The hosts, Daphne and Heath, trace Christina's troubled path through toxic relationships, the web of false accusations, and the unraveling of suspects—culminating in a shocking betrayal involving two men vying for control over her life and legacy.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Victim: Christina Parcell’s Background
[02:52] – [06:40]
- Christina Parcell (b. 1980) grew up in South Carolina, loved baking, animals, and helping others.
- Excelled as a veterinary technician; described as compassionate and witty by her manager, Dan Randall.
- Family appreciated her—except her tendency to choose poor romantic partners.
2. Relationship with John Mello
[06:40] – [12:22]
- Met John Mello at 24 when he was 43 and married. Their friendship became romantic as his marriage dissolved.
- Christina and John had a daughter after five years of friendship; relationship soured over time.
- John became controlling, influencing Christina to cut ties with her family ("I'm severing the ties of discontent…" – Christina, [06:40]).
- After breakup, Christina resurfaced in 2015—her family discovered her daughter's existence for the first time.
Quote:
"John was reportedly very possessive and drove Christina away from her family, which, you know, we often see in many cases that we cover" – Heath [06:40]
3. Custody Battle & Escalating Tensions
[12:22] – [14:02]
- Attempted co-parenting with John failed; led to accusations against Christina of drug use and sex work.
- Courts sided with John, giving Christina only weekend custody; John began withholding their daughter, absconding to Italy.
- Christina had to take the custody dispute to Italian family court. The court sided with Christina, but John stayed in Italy to avoid repercussions.
- Christina and her daughter moved in with her sister Tina, returning to South Carolina five months before her death.
Quote:
"Instructing Christina via email that it would be better for her if Christina wasn't in the picture. So he's like, yeah, I took her to Italy… bye." – Daphne [09:35]
4. The Fiancé: Bradley Post
[12:22] – [13:46]
- Christina became engaged to Bradley Post, a wealthy, egocentric retired engineer.
- Tina (her sister) described Bradley as "smug, arrogant, and off-putting" [12:22].
- Christina was increasingly unsure about the engagement before her death.
5. Harassment Campaign & Suspicious Behavior
[13:46] – [14:58]
- Nude photos and a fake sex work listing of Christina were sent anonymously; envelopes traced to South Carolina and Tennessee—despite John being in Italy.
- Christina blamed John, suspecting he’d enlisted someone else to harass her.
- The harassment heightened family concerns for her safety.
Quote:
"Again, this feels like a really weird revenge plot." – Heath [13:57]
6. The Murder – Chilling Details
[14:58] – [21:18]
- October 13, 2021: After a job interview, Christina was last seen at 9:07am on a neighbor’s Ring camera.
- Bradley, after not hearing from her, went to check at her house. Entered via unlocked back door, found Christina dead. House smelled of chemicals.
- Christina’s body was surrounded by rose petals—an unusual, unsettling detail.
- 911 call by Bradley: “I think I might have a death... There’s a very weird smell…” – Bradley [16:20]
- Evidence suggested Christina fought for her life, was attacked almost immediately after entering.
- She was stabbed 35 times—19 times to her neck/face; blood patterns showed she was likely dragged.
Quote:
"Eerily scattered around her body and throughout the house were rose petals." – Daphne [16:20]
- Police immediately sensed a “crime of passion”.
7. Investigation: Suspects & Shocking Revelations
[25:53] – [29:50]
a. John Mello
- John quickly named as a person of interest but was in Italy at the time; police focus shifted.
b. Bradley Post
- Initially cooperative, but became evasive after devices seized.
- Arrested on charges of possessing child pornography, discovered during the murder investigation.
- No evidence connected Bradley to the murder itself.
Quote:
"Bradley was concealing child pornography on his devices." – Daphne [27:25] "It's a terrifying thought. The fact that Christina's 9 year old daughter had been around Bradley…" – Heath [28:48]
c. Surveillance Footage and Neighborhood Clues
- Video revealed a masked, all-black-clad figure entering home at 9:15am, fleeing 12 minutes later on a bike—did not match John or Bradley physically.
d. New Suspects – Michael Manigault and Zachary Hughes
- Investigation led to Michael Manigault—he pointed to Zachary Hughes, a 29-year-old Juilliard-trained pianist and friend of John Mello.
- Zach, known for being artistic and sensitive, was allegedly obsessed with the aftermath of the murder and John’s claims of custody abuse.
Quote:
"He had never even met Christina. Just 29 years old, he was known for being creative, artistic, and an incredibly gifted musician." – Heath [31:44]
8. Zachary Hughes – The Murderer and His Motive
[33:27] – [42:48]
- Zach, manipulated by John's false and inflammatory claims of child abuse by Christina and Bradley, became convinced he needed to “rescue” the daughter.
- On October 13, 2021, Zach posed as a flower delivery man, forced his way into Christina’s home, and viciously stabbed her. Attempted to destroy evidence by pouring paint thinner on her hands.
- Zach’s DNA was found under Christina’s fingernails (from her fighting back).
- Admitted to sending the nude photo envelopes.
- Claimed he killed Christina under John’s coercion and promise of payment.
Quote:
"If you think a child is in danger, you don't dress up in black and put on a mask and murder the person potentially responsible and cover them in rose petals like some vigilante poet." – Heath [35:00] "He had arrived at the home under the guise of being a floral delivery driver... Christina attempted to fight him off, but Zach revealed a knife and began beating her mercilessly..." – Daphne [39:43]
- In court, Zach argued he acted in good faith, but the hosts express strong skepticism and outrage at this defense.
Quote:
"It's like you're saying that Christina is a victim of Bradley, but then you're the one that takes her life." – Heath [39:01] "He acted in good faith? That doesn't cut it." – Daphne [42:48]
9. Outcome – Trials and Aftermath
[42:48] – [46:56]
- On February 19, 2025, Zach Hughes was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.
- John Mello was arrested and charged as an accessory before the fact and solicitation to commit a felony, based on exchanged messages and Zach’s testimony.
- John remains in jail awaiting his own trial.
Quote:
"John was arrested for his involvement and the orchestration of Christina's murder. He was taken into custody on February 19, 2025..." – Daphne [44:21]
- Christina’s daughter was placed with friends of John’s; Tina, Christina’s sister, attempted to gain custody. Allegations were made against Tina but no charges were filed; custody issues remain murky and controversial.
10. Ongoing Questions and Final Thoughts
[45:15] – [46:56]
- The hosts raise doubts about the truth of John’s abuse allegations, noting his consistent pattern of manipulation.
- The fate of Bradley Post (awaiting trial for child exploitation) remains unresolved; no evidence directly links Christina to his crimes or to any abuse of her daughter.
- The episode closes with a commitment to follow up as new information emerges regarding trials for John and Bradley.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On John's control:
“He was the factor in the reasoning for that. Now, Christina and John did try to salvage part of their relationship…” – Heath [07:56] - On the crime scene:
“Rose petals everywhere… automatically you’re like, okay, it has to be some sort of romantic partner.” – Heath [16:20] - On the investigation turning to Bradley:
"Bradley was concealing child pornography on his devices." – Daphne [27:25] - On Zach’s defense:
"If you think a child is in danger, you don't dress up in black and murder the person… like some vigilante poet." – Heath [35:00] - On John’s manipulation:
"He was the puppeteer and got Zach to murder Christina for him." – Daphne [45:23] - On the lasting ramifications:
“It's just so hard without seeing any proof. We can't believe you … And again, either way, it wasn’t Zach’s job to kill Christina.” – Daphne [42:13] - On the case's complexity:
"It seems like a very messy situation just in the fact that you really just don't know what the truth is here." – Heath [45:15]
Important Timestamps
- Christina’s Background: [02:52]
- The Split & Family Estrangement: [06:40]
- Custody Battle and Absconding to Italy: [09:35]
- Fiancé Enters the Picture: [12:22]
- Harassment via Nude Photo Campaign: [13:46]
- Day of the Murder and Crime Scene Discovery: [14:58]
- 911 Call from Bradley: [16:20]
- Police Initial Theory—Crime of Passion: [21:18]
- Investigation: Suspects Ruled Out, Attention on Zach: [25:53]
- Bradley’s Arrest (Child Pornography): [27:25]
- Surveillance & Turn to Zach Hughes: [29:50]
- Zach’s Motive, Manipulation, and Confession: [33:27] – [39:43]
- Court Defense and Conviction: [42:48]
- John Mello’s Arrest: [44:21]
- Custody Battles and Remaining Questions: [45:15]
Closing Notes
Going West’s coverage of the Christina Parcell case highlights the insidious power of manipulation and false narratives within toxic relationships, and the tragic fallout when misguided “saviors” take action based on lies. The crime’s unusual elements—rose petals, a vigilante artistic killer, and layers of legal and moral ambiguity—make it a haunting episode, with Daphne and Heath’s tone oscillating between outrage, empathy, and disbelief. They promise further updates on the aftermath, especially as trials for John Mello and Bradley Post proceed.
"So for everybody out there in the world, don't be a stranger." – Daphne [48:03]