Missing South Carolina mother found dead near Charlotte creek, police confirm

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – The body of a missing South Carolina woman was found in Charlotte earlier this week, police confirmed Wednesday.

TaHaley Payton, 22, had been missing for weeks after visiting Charlotte for a birthday trip with her boyfriend. She was last seen on Nov. 20 in the Uptown area, and hadn’t been heard from since.

Payton’s family and friends reported on Monday, Dec. 9 that the woman’s body had been found. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police did not publicly confirm Payton’s death until Wednesday, Dec. 11.

In a police report shared Wednesday, authorities said Payton’s body was found outside in an open area near Pearl Street Park the morning of Dec. 9. The person who called police to the area reported seeing what looked like a human body in the “waters of the tributary of Upper Little Creek,” the police report reads. It’s believed the officer was referring to Little Sugar Creek.

It was not immediately clear if Payton’s body was, in fact, found in the water. It appears Payton had already died when police found her. The police report showed Payton did not receive medical treatment.

Charlotte police categorized Payton’s case as a “sudden/natural death investigation.” It did not appear that police suspected a homicide, but few details were shared as of Wednesday.

The Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed to WBTV on Wednesday that Payton had died and was examined there. The medical examiner said then that Payton’s cause of death was “pending.”

WBTV was still working to learn more about Payton’s death and the circumstances surrounding it.

What we know about the case

Payton — who’s from the Greenville, South Carolina area — was visiting Charlotte for her birthday with her boyfriend at the time of her disappearance, her family said. Payton’s boyfriend allegedly kicked her out of the car in Charlotte during an argument.

The family said the boyfriend then drove back to South Carolina without Payton, leaving her alone in the city. That wasn’t the last time she was seen, however.

Payton’s family said the woman was admitted to a local emergency room for post-partum depression. Payton gave birth to her daughter six months ago.

The family said Payton was eventually released from the hospital, and that’s when she disappeared.

Payton was last seen in the area of Charlottetown Avenue near Kenilworth Avenue just outside of Uptown. WBTV’s Ron Lee spoke with businesses in the area, and some said they saw Payton, and that she had acted strangely.

Payton’s loved ones said last week that they were planning to drive to Charlotte from the Greenville area to help search for the missing woman.

On Monday, Dec. 9, loved ones posted on social media that Payton’s body had been found. Based on the police report, Payton’s body was found near the area she was last seen.

Specific details about her death were not confirmed, but several people said they hoped to get justice for Payton.

Kelanie Davis, who says she’s Payton’s best friend, started a GoFundMe fundraiser to help pay for funeral services and the “costs of bringing [Payton] back home from Charlotte.”

“[… please know that we do not expect any donations. Your emotional support is invaluable, and simply being there for us is more than enough,” Davis wrote on social media. “Thank you for standing by us and for your unwavering love and support. It has made a significant difference as we navigate this journey together.”

Payton’s 6-month-old daughter, who she reportedly shared with her boyfriend, was said to be with family at this time. Family members asked the public to respect their privacy.

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