$10 million lottery winner convicted of first-degree murder in Brunswick County

A 2017 lottery winner was convicted Friday of first-degree murder in Brunswick County. 

Michael Hill, 54, was found guilty of murder in the 2020 shooting death of 23-year-old Keonna Graham after an hour of jury deliberation, according to a news release from District Attorney Jon David's office.

Hill was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Prior to his trial, he pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon. 

Previous reporting:Man charged in Shallotte hotel murder investigation

Graham was reported missing on July 20, 2020, and was later found dead in a hotel room in Shallotte. She sustained a single gunshot wound to the back of the head. 

Hill was arrested in Southport after video footage showed he was the only person who had been with Graham at the hotel. Hill said the two had been in a romantic relationship for approximately a year and a half prior to her death. 

In 2017, Hill won $10 million on a scratch-off lottery ticket. 

Jamey Cross is the public safety reporter at the StarNews. Reach her at jbcross@gannett.com or message her on Twitter @jameybcross.