by Cedric ‘BIG CED’ Thornton
The body of 22-year-old Ta’haley Payton was found near a park after not being seen in several weeks
After being reported missing for several weeks, a South Carolina woman was discovered dead in North Carolina.
Payton’s family told the media outlet that she went to Charlotte to be with her boyfriend to celebrate her birthday. The couple reportedly argued at the Microtel Inn & Suites in North Charlotte, and he drove away without her the next day. Several local workers stated that they saw her that night.
An employee from a cookie store, Emily Stewart, witnessed the interaction. She said Payton went into the store around 5 or 6 that evening looking for help.
“I don’t know, it’s just wild, it’s wild. It was very weird how she came in multiple times,” said Stewart.
“She just asked to use my phone and I just handed it to her. She said her boyfriend kicked her out of the car. He was found with some other girl, and she needed a ride.”
She said the young woman called her mother and returned to the store twice to use the phone.
“It turns out she also messaged her boyfriend from my phone. I guess she said I’ll sleep outside tonight, and I’m sorry for everything,” Stewart said.
Employees also saw Payton at a nearby Arby’s and Trader Joe’s; according to her family, she had never heard from her.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said no cause of death has been determined yet, but this 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 DUI and failing to stop for blue lights after fleeing police officers who tried to stop him.
One of Payton’s friends has set up a fundraiser, “Ta’haley Payton: In Memory and Support,” to raise money to help bring the body home and cover funeral expenses.
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Source: Black Enterprise
