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A convict with a tattooed head and a long rap sheet for violent crimes allegedly beat his father to death in North Carolina just days after getting released from prison.

Derek Steven Hughes, 41, had been paroled for just six days when he killed his father, 74-year-old Steve Hughes, early Tuesday in a fight over money, according to police and family members.

The father died from “injuries sustained during a physical assault” in his trailer, police in Gaston County police said, without elaborating.

Derek Hughes poses for a mugshot with displaying his facial tattoos after his arrest in Gaston County. Gaston county Sheriff’s office
Steven Hughes was allegedly killed by his son, Derek, on Aug. 12, 2025. Family Handout

The victim’s son was arrested later that day in Kings Mountain, not far from his dad’s Gaston County trailer, and charged with first-degree murder.

Derek Hughes had been released from prison on parole on Aug. 6 after serving time for drug charges, according to WBTV.

Before his latest stint behind bars, he was previously locked up for charges including assault on a female, assault by strangulation, communicating threats and other offenses, records show.

Derek Hughes appears in court after his arrest for allegedly murdering his father in North Carolina. WBTV
Police block off the driveway leading to the Gaston County where Steven Hughes was killed. WBTV

Steve Hughes’ daughter told WBTV her father was “the best man you could ever meet” and loved to work on cars, camp and fish.

”I’m getting justice for my father,” the victim’s daughter said Tuesday. “I’ll go to the end of the earth to get justice for him.”

Derek Hughes is being held at the Gaston County jail without bond.

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