Missing mom found dead on birthday trip after telling family she ‘didn’t feel safe’

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WHNS/Gray News) – Police said a mother from South Carolina was found dead in North Carolina after she went missing during a birthday trip.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department confirmed that the body of 22-year-old Ta-Haley Payton was found in Charlotte on Dec. 9.

Payton is from Simpsonville, South Carolina, which is about a two-hour drive from Charlotte.

Family members reported her missing on Nov. 20, the day after her 22nd birthday.

Her family said she left for Charlotte on Nov. 19 with her boyfriend to celebrate her birthday.

The couple has a 6-month-old daughter together.

Payton’s boyfriend reportedly returned to South Carolina without her.

Family members said the boyfriend called Payton’s mom on Nov. 20, telling her he was leaving the trip in Charlotte and that she would have to go get her daughter.

Payton then reportedly called her mom from a pub later that day saying she didn’t feel safe and was going to walk to a nearby Burger King. Her mom reportedly told her to wait there so she could send a Lyft or Uber to pick her up.

A few hours later, the family said Payton texted them to say that a friend was coming to get her, but that never happened.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is continuing its investigation and has not released further details about Payton’s death.

Anyone with information is asked to call a homicide unit detective at (704) 432-TIPS.

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