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Pennsylvania businessman stabbed to death in Treme hotel

Police looking for a Tennessee woman accused of second degree murder

NEW ORLEANS — Police are searching for a Tennessee woman accused in the stabbing death of a Pennsylvania businessman.

The death happened inside a room in the Empress Hotel in the 1300 block of Ursulines Avenue early on Feb. 28, NOPD officials said. 

The establishment in the Treme neighborhood is just blocks from the French Quarter packed with Mardi Gras revelers this week. 

Hotel owner James Brooks told Eyewitness News security camera video shows Patrick Murphy, 62 and Megan Hall, 25, getting a room at the hotel Thursday morning around 2.

"After they walked in, initially, they walked back out, right here at the front," Brooks said. "They were having a conversation and walked back in. She's the one who checked into the room. He's the one who paid for it. That's all on camera."

RELATED: Woman sought for murder after man found stabbed to death in Treme hotel room

At some point, the camera captures Hall leaving alone.

"It was approximately two and a half hours from when they entered the hotel to when the woman left," Brooks said. 

A hotel employee later found Murphy's dead body on the floor of the room, covered in blood. He had been stabbed to death, police said. 

The NOPD released photo's of Hall who is from Mumford, TN,  and identified her as Murphy's suspected killer.

A hotel guest who identified himself as Michael said he was staying in the room next door to where the murder happened.

"Usually, you have an idea who's going to be acting the fool," Michael said. "But, no, no arguing through the walls, no nothing, really. I didn't hear a darn thing."

Murphy's death sent shock waves through his home town where he is known as one of the most prominent businessmen in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. 

His family owns a chain of jewelry stores and he's a former school board member.

Court records indicate Hall has previous arrests on minor charges including prostitution in New Orleans, Houston and Nashville.

"I'm extremely sad, very disappointed that this happened, especially here at our family business," Brooks said. "It's not something anybody ever wants to have happen."

Police are now reviewing security camera video from the Empress Hotel as part of the ongoing murder investigation.

Megan Hall is now wanted on a charge of second degree murder.

Call the NOPD or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111, if you know her whereabouts.

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