MYSTERIOUS DEATH: What happened to Ta’Haley Payton?
Mar 31, 2025
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It’s been nearly four months since Ta’Haley Payton was found dead in the Little Sugar Creek. According to her autopsy report, the South Carolina mother died from hypothermia.
Ta’Haley’s family spoke to WCCB and they say the manner in which she was found leaves them ask
ing more questions.
What happened to Ta’Haley?
That’s the agonizing question her family has been asking themselves for months. Payton’s family gathered outside of CMPD Headquarters in Uptown on March 28th demanding answers about the department’s investigation.
Ta’Haley had been in Charlotte celebrating her 22nd birthday with her child’s father when she disappeared. Investigators say Ta’Haley was last seen November 20th on Charlottetowne Avenue. Her body was found 19 days later near a park in Midtown.
Ta’Haley Payton’s mother, Stephanie Crawford, says the autopsy results that show her daughter died from hypothermia do not address the injuries she sustained. Crawford does not believe CMPD is doing enough to get justice for her daughter.
WCCB reached out to CMPD to see if we could clarify some questions the family has about Ta’Haley’s death but we haven’t heard back.
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