In a tragic turn of events that sent ripples through the Columbia, South Carolina community, 29-year-old Jaylan Sarah Hasty, a Black female, was found deceased in her apartment on August 24, 2023. The discovery was made by emergency responders who were initially called to her residence for a report of a water leak. Instead, they encountered a grim scene where Hasty had succumbed to fatal gunshot wounds in an apparent act of domestic violence.
Also present at the scene was her 31-year-old
ex-boyfriend, Kenardo Bates, who was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators believe that Bates shot Hasty before turning the gun on himself. The couple had reportedly separated about a year prior to the fatal incident. Family members later revealed that Bates had been exhibiting controlling behavior and stalking Hasty in the time leading up to her death, often waiting for her in parking lots.
Following the incident, Bates was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries. Upon his release on September 1, 2023, the same day as Hasty's funeral, he was taken into custody by law enforcement. He was subsequently charged with murder, kidnapping, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Bates is currently being held at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center as he awaits trial.
In the wake of this devastating loss, Jaylan Hasty's family has become vocal advocates for domestic violence awareness. They have organized events to honor her memory and to support other victims, emphasizing the importance of recognizing warning signs and seeking help to prevent similar tragedies. Her mother, Monica Hatton, has shared that discovering her daughter's journals, which detailed incidents dating back to 2018, underscored the importance of open communication about domestic abuse. The family hopes that by sharing Jaylan's story, they can save others from a similar fate.
