The gruesome murder of Nashvillian Kelton King, 43, who was pulled from the Cumberland River last May 22 with 39 stab wounds, has been solved.
Meticulous police work by Homicide Unit Detective Kyle Eicholtz, with coordination and assistance from the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office and the TBI, led to today’s Davidson County grand jury indictment of Nicolai Hubbeling, 21, on charges of first-degree premediated murder and abuse of a corpse. Hubbeling is presently incarcerated in Bladen County, North Carolina, for homicide. He was arrested at his Raleigh Court home in Old Hickory (Wilson County) on the North Carolina charges last May 29.
Through working with the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office and the TBI, Detective Eicholtz learned of Hubbeling’s reported connection to the murder of an elderly man in North Carolina and his reported intent to kill a homeless black man in Nashville. Detective Eicholtz, who was assigned the Kelton King murder from day one, found video surveillance of Hubbeling walking around downtown seemingly in search of a victim. On May 17, 2025, Hubbeling is seen on video approaching King on a park bench. He convinced King to enter his Lexus SUV, which is the last known time King is seen alive. A later search of Hubbeling’s Lexus resulted in the discovery of blood from the interior, testing of which showed it to be King’s. Weapons, including knives, and strangulation devices were found in the SUV and Hubbeling’s home. A search of Hubbeling’s phone revealed videos of him stalking homeless persons.
Arrangements will be made with North Carolina authorities for Hubbeling’s return to Nashville.
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