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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South Carolina’s Olde English District isn’t only famous for its early English settlers and Revolutionary War history — it’s also a destination for outdoors enthusiasts. With nine state parks and historic sites, including a place where you can see the Rocky Shoals Spider Lily, the rarest type of spider lily, the area is a paradise for paddling.

The Olde English District is only an hour or two (depending on which park you visit) from Charlotte, North Carolina, which was recently named one of the top cities in the US for outdoor lovers.

Cheraw State Park

My husband and I road-tripped from Charlotte, North Carolina, an hour and 45 minutes south into South Carolina. At our first stop, Cheraw State Park, we stayed in one of nine restored rustic cabins initially built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the Great Depression.

Robert Mahoney, the Park Manager, helped us launch our rented kayaks for an early morning paddle on Lake Juniper. We explained that this was our first time visiting South Carolina. With a big smile, Mahoney shared that this part of South Carolina is a “Great place for families to relax, reflect, and enjoy Southern hospitality.”

When my husband and I got out on the lake for our paddle, the water was like glass. I could relate to Mahoney’s description of the area — the lake was quiet, peaceful, incredibly lush, and green. It is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the workweek for a weekend adventure outdoors.

After kayaking, we hiked the Boardwalk Trail to the campground overlooking the lake. Then, we drove into Cheraw to eat lunch, indulge in sweet tea at the River’s Edge, and get praline pecan ice cream at the Caffeinated Cow. While in town, we learned that the famous jazz musician Dizzy Gillespie was from Cheraw, so we drove to see the Homesite Park tribute.

Landsford Canal State Park

At nearby Landsford Canal State Park, people come from all over to see the lilies blooming in the Catawba River — it’s a bucket list activity for many in the spring, who paddle a mile-and-a-half trail to see the spectacular Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies.

The park has the largest crop of Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies in the world. The best time of year to see the plants blooming is from May to mid-June — they bloom right out of the water. In the spring, keep a lookout for nesting eagle fledglings as well.

If you’re in the mood for fried seafood after paddling, head to the Catawba Fish Camp, roughly 15 minutes from the park. The restaurant offers bottomless meals, hushpuppies, and coleslaw. The best part is the candy bar for dessert — it’s like a salad bar, except it’s a blue wooden boat full of chocolates and colorful gummies.

Before planning a trip to Landsford Canal State Park, check in with the park office. According to their website, a recent storm damaged the area, including the kayak and canoe access points. Hopefully, they’ll be cleaned up in time for spring paddling.

Goodale State Park

Finally, wrap up a trip to this region at Goodale State Park near Camden.

During a phone interview, Jenny Parrish, Executive Director of the Olde English District Tourism Commission, told me, “Paddling at Goodale State Park is one of South Carolina’s well-kept secrets.”

Paddlers can cruise a three-mile canoe trail through the Cyprus trees and a crystal clear spring-fed lake. Parrish says, “While paddling the canoe and kayak trail here, you can see down eight feet when you look — the water is crystal clear.”

The 2024 season isn’t over yet. However, South Carolina football’s 9-3 regular season has been a wild (and mostly enjoyable) ride that Gamecock fans will remember forever. Along the way, thanks to big-time statistical performances and a return to winning ways, USC has had to rewrite some of its history. There is one game remaining, so some of these records or near-records could shift by the end of the year.

Let’s take a look at the 2024 Gamecocks’ assault on the record books.

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Team

South Carolina has won nine games in 2024 with one more opportunity left to play (the Gamecocks will take on the Illinois Fighting Illini in the Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Eve). In the history of the program, that’s only happened seven other times.

If Carolina were to beat Illinois, that would move this year’s win total to 10. That would mark just the fifth time in history a Gamecock team reached double-digit victories.

Shane Beamer’s team also posted six wins by at least 21 points this season. That is the second most in South Carolina football history and the most since 1987.

Both defensive lineman Tonka Hemingway and punter Kai Kroeger have played in 60 career games. That ties former kicker Parker White for the most games played in team history.

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Offense

The Gamecock offense wasn’t elite in 2024. However, as the entire team turned the corner after a 3-3 start, so did the offense. Much of that started with quarterback LaNorris Sellers.

Sellers had a November to remember. The redshirt freshman broke the South Carolina record (previously held by Jake Bentley) for touchdowns in a single month, totaling 16 scores in the calendar’s 11th month. He also was one shy of tying Steve Taneyhill’s mark of 14 passing touchdowns in a single month.

Sellers also was the only FBS quarterback to pass and rush for 150 yards in a single game this season. He did so when it mattered most, too, beating the rival Clemson Tigers with his dominant performance.

In that same Clemson game, Sellers broke 18 tackles. That’s the most broken tackles ever by a quarterback in the PFF statistical tracking era. It also was the second most (regardless of position) of any player this season.

No. 16’s five touchdown passes against Missouri matched a number only accomplished eight other times in USC history. Only Spencer Rattler (six against Tennessee in 2022) has thrown for more scores in one game.

Sellers’ 398 yards of offense against Missouri also is the eight-highest total ever produced in garnet and black.

Barring disaster, LaNorris Sellers will break Todd Ellis’ single-season freshman record for total yards. He is 46 yards shy of Ellis with 2929 yards passing and rushing combined. He is three passing touchdowns short of Ellis’ freshman record (20), and he already owns the total quarterback touchdown marks among freshmen (24).

Tight end Josh Simon quietly matched a South Carolina tight end record, as well. With six touchdown receptions, he matched Clyde Bennett’s mark set back in the 1950s. No other tight ends have caught six TD passes in a Gamecock uniform.

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Defense

South Carolina senior EDGE Kyle Kennard (who just won the Nagurski Trophy as the top defensive player in college football) pushed his way onto some all-time lists this season.

Kennard finished the regular season with 11.5 sacks. Only Jadeveon Clowney’s 13 quarterback stops in 2012 are better in Gamecock history. Kennard is now one of just four players to reach double-digit sacks in Columbia, joining Clowney, Melvin Ingram, and Andrew Provence. It’s worth mentioning that Kennard had a sack wiped out of the box score thanks to an accepted holding penalty, too.

Dylan Stewart has 6.5 sacks on the year. That is 1.5 shy of Jadeveon Clowney’s freshman record of eight. Stewart could reach or pass Clowney depending on how the bowl game goes.

As a team, South Carolina is three sacks away from tying 2012’s all-time mark of 40.

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Special Teams

Kai Kroeger is averaging 47.6 yards per punt this season. Joseph Charlton averaged 47.7 yards in 2019. With a good bowl game, Kroeger will become the single-season Gamecock record holder for punt average. Kroeger is almost locked into place as the second most prolific career punter (in terms of average distance) behind Charlton.