The death of 22-year-old Ta’Haley Payton has been officially ruled as hypothermia, according to the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner’s Office. Payton, originally from Greenville, South Carolina, vanished in November 2024 while visiting Charlotte to celebrate her birthday.
On November 19, 2024, Payton and her boyfriend traveled to Charlotte and checked into the Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Charlotte/Northlake. The following day, the couple had an argument, leading to her boyfriend leaving the hotel without her.
Stranded without her belongings, Payton sought help at nearby businesses. Employees at a Crumbl Cookies in Midtown Charlotte reported that she repeatedly entered the store asking to use a phone. One employee, Emily Stewart, recalled Payton saying, “She said her boyfriend kicked her out of the car. He was found with some other girl, and she needed a ride.”
Additional witnesses reported seeing Payton at Arby’s and Trader Joe’s in the area on the same evening, attempting to find assistance.
After an extensive search, authorities discovered Payton’s body on December 9, 2024, near the 1100 block of Baxter Street in Charlotte. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department initially treated the case as a missing person’s investigation before reclassifying it as a death investigation.
An autopsy later confirmed that Payton died from hypothermia, a condition where the body loses heat faster than it can produce, resulting in dangerously low body temperature. Contributing factors can include prolonged exposure to cold weather, inadequate clothing, and a lack of shelter.
Authorities have not indicated any signs of foul play, but the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is still investigating the case. They encourage anyone with information to come forward.
Black women love these worthless THUGS and hate decent gentlemen.