Pocono News Section

Man Under Arrest in Murder of Williamsport Woman

Man Under Arrest in Murder of Williamsport Woman - Saturday, March 8, 2008 at 6:37PM EST

Reported by: Jill Konopka
Saturday, Mar 8, 2008 @06:37pm EST
((Stroudsburg/Tobyhanna, Monroe County)) - Police have arrested the man they say brutally mutilated his female victim. Authorities say Charles Hicks then dumped Deanna Null’s body parts in eight places along the highway in Monroe and Lackawanna county. In the past two days police say they also recovered additional body parts in the suspects house. Neighbors tell WBRE News, Charles Hicks is the nicest, most polite person who came here recently for a job, from Texas. Hicks landlord says she got a referral from his friends at the Tobyhanna Army Depot. Police say Hicks brutally killed Deanna Null and dismembered her body. Authorities say Null’s head and what's believed to be her hands were found in and around Hicks' Tobyhanna home. Amy Mercado is the landlord, “Are you kidding me? Honest to god?" 33-year-old Charles Hicks is under arrest for the murder and dismemberment of Deanna Null of Williamsport. In late January, Null's frozen remains were found stuffed in garbage bags and strewn about Interstates 80 and 380 in Monroe and Lackawanna counties. Investigators say she had been dead for days. State police say Hicks was the last person seen with Null leaving Scranton in his car, days before she was dismembered with a knife and saw. Lt. Robert Bartal with the State Police stated, “Earlier this week, we received tip about a vehicle similar to vehicle looking for and it led us to Mr. Hicks." Police say they also found a hacksaw and garbage bags similar to the ones Null’s body parts were found in when they executed a search warrant at Hicks Tobyhanna Prospect Street home Friday. Amy Mercado is Hick’s landlord, “I don't even know where it puts us, don't know what to do." WBRE broke the news to hick's landlord Amy Mercado. She says he moved in, in late January from Texas for an electronics job with the Tobyhanna Army Depot. Alberto Martinez said, “Oh my God. Jeez I'm in shock"" We also broke the news to Hicks friend from work, a native Texan. Martinez added, “A heck of a nice guy. Don't understand I'm in shock." Court papers also show investigators found human female hands wrapped in newspaper stuffed in the piping near Hicks' bathroom. Investigators say they found the victim's head 200 yards from the property. Mercado responded, "Are you kidding me, are you kidding, are you kidding me?" Hicks told reporters he never met Deanna Null. An arrest affidavit says the two shared drugs and intimate relations on at least two occassions. Mercado added, "Not in a million yeas, don't know what to say." Other neighbors aren't so sure these allegations are true - after all some say charles hick is just the nicest southern man you could meet. "Guy came from Texas unless he picked her off streets or something like that i don't know," said Harlow Keyes. When Hicks was asked by investigators if there'd by any evidence Deanna Null would be found in his house or the trunk of his car - which there was - Hicks responded, "There shouldn't be." Hicks is being held without bail and will appear in court next Friday.