Ayo Wharton, a 19-year-old from San Diego, was tragically killed on November 2, 2011. On the evening of November 1, Wharton left his family home in Linda Vista, telling his mother he would be back soon. He received a call shortly before leaving, but the details surrounding the call remain unclear. He did not return that night, and his body was found the next morning by a man walking his dog near a hiking path in Tecolote Canyon Natural Park.
Wharton had suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head, and his death was determined to be a homicide.
Wharton was diagnosed with schizophrenia two years prior to his death, but his condition had reportedly improved recently. He was working at Party City in Clairemont, trying to get his life back on track. His mother, Gwendolyn Wharton, emphasized that he would not have willingly gone with a stranger, indicating that whoever was with him that night was someone he knew. Authorities suspected he may have been robbed, but they did not believe it was a gang-related incident. There were no immediate leads, and no suspects were identified at the time.
The case has remained unsolved, and the San Diego Police Department's Cold Case Team, in partnership with the local district attorney's office, continues to seek information from the public to bring justice for Ayo Wharton and his family. His mother, a Navy veteran and a former art teacher, continues to hope for closure, urging anyone with relevant information to come forward.
