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.