by Cedric “BIG CED” Thornton
December 17, 2024
Ta'haley Payton, 22, had not been seen since November 22nd.
After being reported missing for several weeks, a South Carolina woman was found dead in North Carolina.
According to WSOC-TV, 22-year-old Ta'haley Payton's body was found near a park on Monday, December 16th. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police confirmed the body was found in a park near uptown Charlotte. She was last seen on November 20th.
Payton's family told the media outlet that she drove to Charlotte to celebrate her birthday with her boyfriend. The couple reportedly argued at the Microtel Inn & Suites in North Charlotte, after which he drove off without her the next day. Several local workers reported seeing them that night.
A cookie store employee, Emily Stewart, witnessed the interaction. She said Payton went to the store around 5 or 6 p.m. that evening seeking help.
“I don’t know, it’s just wild, it’s wild. It was very strange how she came in several times,” Stewart said. “She just asked to use my phone and I just gave it to her. She said her boyfriend threw her out of the car. He was found with another girl and she needed a ride.”
She said Payton called her mother and returned to the store twice to use the phone.
“It turns out she was also messaging her boyfriend from my phone. I guess she said, 'I'm going to sleep outside tonight and I'm sorry for everything,'” Stewart said.
Employees at a nearby Arby's and Trader Joe's saw Payton; According to her family and friends, they didn't hear from her again after that night.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said the cause of death has not been determined, but the case is being classified as a homicide investigation.
The NC Beat reported last month that Payton's boyfriend, 25-year-old Setoby Armstrong, was arrested for drunk driving and failing to stop for blue lights after fleeing from police officers who tried to pull him over.
One of Payton's friends created a fundraiser called “Ta'haley Payton: In Memory and Support” to bring the body home and cover funeral costs.
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