Holyfield’s Brother Killed in Family Dispute
The older brother of heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield was shot to death early Wednesday in a family dispute.
Willie Holyfield, 35, was killed by a shotgun blast to the chest, police said. His brother-in-law, Michael Lucas, was charged with murder.
Willie Holyfield had recently overcome a self-described drinking problem and had grown closer to his family.
Kathy Duva, a spokeswoman for Main Events, Evander Holyfield’s promoter, said the heavyweight champion was with his family after the shooting.
Lucas, who lived close to Willie Holyfield, went to the house about 4 a.m. and began accusing the occupants of stealing from him, Atlanta police Sgt. Tom King said.
“Lucas came into the house with a double-barrel, 12-gauge shotgun,” King said. “(Willie) Holyfield came in to see what the commotion was about, and Lucas fired one blast at close range.”
Willie Holyfield’s common-law wife, Vera, her son and her sister also were in the house during the confrontation. None of them were injured.
More to Read
Get our high school sports newsletter
Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.