A South Carolina lady who had been reported missing for several weeks was found dead in North Carolina.
According to WSOC-TV, Ta’haley Payton, 22, was found dead near a park on Monday, December 16. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department announced that the body was discovered in a park near Uptown Charlotte. She was last seen on November 20.
Payton’s family told the media that she went to Charlotte with her boyfriend to celebrate her birthday. The couple apparently argued at the Microtel Inn & Suites in North Charlotte, and he left without her the following day. Several local workers said they saw her that night.
Emily Stewart, a cookie store employee, witnessed the incident. She stated that Payton went into the business around 5 or 6 p.m. that evening to seek assistance.
“I’m not sure; it’s simply wild. “It was strange that she came in multiple times,” Stewart remarked. “She merely wanted to use my phone, so I handed it to her. She claimed her boyfriend kicked her out of the car. He was found with another girl, who needed a ride.”
She stated that Payton contacted her mother and returned to the business twice to use the phone.
“It turns out she messaged her boyfriend using my phone. “I guess she said, ‘I’ll sleep outside tonight, and I’m sorry for everything,'” Stewart explained.
Employees at a nearby Arby’s and Trader Joe’s saw Payton, and her family and friends say they never heard from her after that night.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department stated that the cause of death has not yet been confirmed, but the matter is being investigated as a homicide.
Last month, the NC Beat reported that Payton’s boyfriend, Setoby Armstrong, 25, was arrested for DUI and failing to stop for blue lights after fleeing police officers who attempted to stop him.
One of Payton’s friends has started a fundraiser called “Ta’haley Payton: In Memory and Support,” to assist transport the body home and cover funeral costs.