Whitney Jo King, a 27-year-old woman from Charlotte, North Carolina, tragically lost her life on May 10, 2018. Whitney, who was born in Gastonia, NC, was a beloved daughter, sister, and mother. She was a 2009 graduate of Rock Hill High School and was employed at Red Bowl. Whitney was known for her participation in ROTC and the swim team during her high school years. She was a wonderful mother to her son, Asher John-Keith.
Whitney's life was cut short when she was murdered by her boyfriend, Michael Duane Brown. On the fateful day, Brown shot Whitney multiple times in front of their six-month-old son. After the incident, Brown abandoned the baby at their apartment on Point South Drive and drove to the police station in Steele Creek, where he confessed to the crime. Whitney's twin sister, Cortney King, expressed her devastation over the loss, stating that Brown's actions had changed her life forever.
The autopsy revealed that Whitney had been shot nine times in various parts of her body, including the abdomen, back, chest, and arm. Her hands were bound with brown paper bags secured at the wrist. Following his confession, Michael Duane Brown was charged with first-degree murder and appeared before a Mecklenburg County judge. He was appointed a public defender and was due in court for a bond hearing on May 23, 2018.
Whitney's family, particularly her twin sister Cortney, has been working to gain custody of her young son, who was taken into the temporary custody of DSS during the investigation. The family has been determined to keep Whitney's memory alive and ensure that her son knows about his mother and the kind of person she was. The tragic loss of Whitney Jo King has left a lasting impact on her family and the community, who continue to mourn her untimely death.
