CHARLOTTE — A South Carolina mother is desperate for answers weeks after her daughter’s body was found in a park in Midtown.
On Friday, that mother, Stephanie Crawford, shared her concerns with Channel 9′s Tina Terry.
“This hurts. This hurts so bad,” Crawford expressed.
While police say the case is still under investigation, Charlotte City Council Member Tiawanna Brown met with Stephanie Crawford to show her that she cares.
Crawford’s daughter Ta’haley Payton came to Charlotte to celebrate her birthday. The next day, she was spotted in the Midtown area before eventually disappearing.
In December of 2024, Payton’s body was found in Little Sugar Creek at Pearl Park.
“Her body was found missing clothing, all of her clothes, a lot of her hair,” said family friend Kelanie Davis.
“Where are her clothes? Why does she have a gash in the top part of her head?” Crawford questioned.
Brown said she met with Crawford at Pearl Park on Friday to lend an ear and hope to bring comfort to a hurting family.
“I definitely care. I care with all that is within me,” Brown expressed. “I don’t know the specifics, and I don’t want to entangle anything, but I do want us to authentically move with intentionality to make sure we’re giving the mother the love and support she needs right now.”
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said the case will remain under investigation until the medical examination is complete.
VIDEO: Police find body of SC woman reported missing in Charlotte
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