Ahylea Michelle Willard, a 32-year-old African American woman, tragically lost her life on October 23, 2022, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Ahylea was found dead at the Heritage Apartments on Snow Lane, near a wooded area. She had been shot in the neck, and her body was discovered by several residents of the apartment complex. The scene was gruesome, with wet blood still present when she was found. Ahylea's jewelry and her Mercedes Benz C250 were stolen after her murder.
The vehicle, with North Carolina license plate number TJV-4843, was entered into the NCIC in connection with the murder.
In the aftermath of Ahylea's death, a video surfaced on Facebook Live showing multiple people gathering around her body and discussing stealing her gold belt and jewelry. Some individuals were heard planning to take her jewelry and belt, and when the police arrived, her jewelry was indeed missing. This shocking behavior added another layer of tragedy to the already devastating event.
On November 28, 2022, Tyquawon Parker, a 27-year-old man, was arrested and charged with the murder of Ahylea Michelle Willard. Parker was apprehended in Guilford County, North Carolina, and faced charges of robbery, murder, and other related offenses. The arrest brought some relief to Ahylea's family, who had been seeking justice for her untimely death. Ahylea's parents, Mary McMasters and Craig McMasters, expressed their grief and called for the person responsible to turn themselves in and repent for their actions.
Ahylea Michelle Willard was remembered as a goal-driven and ambitious young woman. She was a licensed hairstylist and esthetician, and she had built her own business brand, "Lea's Luxuries," which included hair, nails, eyelashes, and fashion apparel. Ahylea's entrepreneurial spirit and infectious love for others left a lasting impact on those who knew her. Her family and friends continue to cherish her memory and seek justice for her untimely death.
