Photo: GoFundMe
Questions surround the death of a mother who went missing after she went to North Carolina to celebrate her birthday.
On Monday (December 9), the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said authorities found 22-year-old Ta-Haley Payton dead following her disappearance last month, per PEOPLE.
“This case is now being investigated as a death investigation,” the CMPD said in a statement.
Payton, who was from Greenville S.C., was last seen on November 20, police previously said. According to family members, Payton was visiting Charlotte with her boyfriend to celebrate her birthday, which was on November 19. Payton's family said the couple got into an argument and her boyfriend drove back to Greenville without her.
Following the argument, Payton's younger sibling, Karlotta, said her sister was admitted to the emergency for postpartum depression.
“Police somehow got involved with her, and basically said they wanted her to go to the hospital,” Karlotta said. Payton reportedly disappeared after she was released from the hospital.
Payton's cause of death remains unknown. Emily Stewart, an employee at a Crumbl Cookies shop, said Payton came to the store, asking for help on November 20.
“She just asked to use my phone and I just handed it to her,” Stewart said. “She said her boyfriend kicked her out of the car. He was found with some other girl and she needed a ride.”
According to the employee, Payton used the phone to call her mom and message her boyfriend.
"I guess she said I’ll sleep outside tonight and I’m sorry for everything,” Stewart said.
Payton's sister described her as a dedicated mother. “She wouldn’t leave her daughter,” she said.
A GoFundMe campaign was launched to raise money for Payton's funeral expenses.
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