Man charged in presumed death of missing Wilmington woman appears in court
William Haven Hicks made his first appearance in a New Hanover County courtroom on Tuesday afternoon after being charged in the presumed death of transgender woman KC Johnson.
Hicks, a 26-year-old man from South Carolina, faced a judge after being escorted by bailiffs towards the bench.
Hicks is facing charges of first-degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, kidnapping and financial card theft. A court appointed attorney will represent him. Hicks will remain in jail with no bond. The next court hearing is scheduled for Feb. 9.
According to the Wilmington Police Department, Johnson was killed in the 1300 block of King Street on Friday, Jan. 13. The 27-year-old was last seen in the 1900 block of Tradd Court and reported missing the following day. Police believe Johnson and Hicks met on social media.
Hicks was first arrested in Myrtle Beach on charges of first-degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon and kidnapping in connection to the disappearance, Wilmington police said. Before being transported to Wilmington, Hicks was held in jail there without bail. According to reports, he appeared in a Horry County court and waived his rights to an extradition hearing.
More:Presumed death of transgender woman becomes rallying point for Wilmington LGBTQ+ groups
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Information about Hicks' arrest came the same day officials in Georgia announced the discovery of a body there, saying in a news release the Wilmington Police Department was the lead on the case. As of Monday, WPD officials would not confirm if the remains were Johnson. Positive identification and a cause of death are awaiting an autopsy, officials said.
According to a news release from the Chatham County Police Department, the remains were found in a rocky area on the edge of the Savannah River near a sugar refinery there. WPD is working in conjunction with the department.
On Friday, Jan. 20, candlelight vigils were held at Wilmington City Hall and from Archie Blue Park to King Street, the latter where police believe Johnson was killed.
Participants, many of whom didn't know Johnson personally, said they felt compelled to show solidarity with her family and Wilmington's LGBTQ+ community.
"The more numbers the better for everybody," said Anna Hursley, a recently out transgender woman. "We're here and we're just trying to live our lives."
Police are asking for anyone with information to contact the Wilmington Police Department at 910-343-3609 or use the WPD Tip411 app.
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Reporter Chase Jordan can be reached at cjjordan@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Man charged in Wimington woman's presumed death makes court appearance
