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Arrest made in 'brutal' murder of a counselor

Posted at 5:29 PM, Dec 05, 2019
and last updated 2019-12-06 19:49:55-05

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Metro Nashville Police officers arrested someone in connection to the "brutal" murder of a counselor.

Melissa Hamilton was found dead at her place of work, Crossroads Counseling, Wednesday morning. Police say she had suffered multiple stab wounds during an incident sometime overnight.

Crossroads owner Karen K. Bybee told NewsChannel 5 Missing "...was the most compassionate therapist I've ever met. Missy loved the clients and the clients loved Missy. We have lost a tremendous friend."

On Thursday, police arrested and charged 31-year-old Brian D. Conley for allegedly killing her.

Officials say Conley entered the Crossroads office front door around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. He and Hamilton had a brief interaction before the lights were turned out. About 15 minutes later, Conley left through the back door.

Police say the two didn't know each other prior to the attack.

Detectives arrested him Thursday afternoon outside the Madison Public Library which is directly across the street from Crossroads Counseling. He had checked out a book on Tuesday and returned to the library where he was taken into custody.

Conley, who refused to speak to detectives, had a wound to his right hand consistent with Hamilton’s stab wounds.