207 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Jalen Lavaria Houston

Death by Force
Case Description
Any updates on this case? Let us know!
On the morning of October 3, 2024, 24-year-old Jalen Lavaria Houston was fatally shot in her home on North Ransom Street in Gastonia, North Carolina. The incident occurred around 7 a.m. following an argument with her boyfriend, 34-year-old Phillip Patrick Byers Jr.

Byers was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a felon. He is currently held in Gaston County jail without bond. Court records indicate that Byers was out on bond for an assault on a f ...Read More
Links to Additional Sources (7)
See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Gaston Gazette: Gastonia man admitted to shooting, prosecutor says
  • WSOC TV: Woman says she tried to get daughter away from man accused of killing her
    •     ...View 5 additional sources
    Victim Details

    Jalen Lavaria Houston

    Female

    Black / African American

    Gastonia

    NC

    2024-10-03

    24

    Jalen

    Lavaria Houston

    11/29/2025

    Forum Posts (3)
    I've been following the case of Jalen Lavaria Houston, and my heart goes out to her family, especial... ...Read More
    11/14/2024
    I'm just devastated to hear about Jalen Lavaria Houston’s tragic death. It’s haunting to think a... ...Read More
    10/31/2024
    I just wanted to share some thoughts on Jalen’s situation. It's incredibly distressing to learn th... ...Read More
    10/19/2024
    Other Cases from Gastonia, North-carolina

    Aliyah Gabrielle Nelson

    Death: Sep 17, 2014
    Aliyah Gabrielle Nelson, an 11-year-old girl from Gastonia, North Carolina, passed away on September e ...Read More

    Jaye Smith

    Death: Sep 09, 2005
    On September 9, 2005, Jaye Lynn Jarrett Smith, a 28-year-old woman from Gastonia, North Carolina, wa w ...Read More

    David Joseph Yates II

    Death: Jun 07, 2018
    David Joseph Yates II, a 30-year-old male from Lincolnton, North Carolina, was found dead on June 7, 7 ...Read More

    Erica Welch

    Death: Mar 06, 2024
    On March 6, 2024, at approximately 3:00 a.m., Gaston County Police responded to a domestic disturban a ...Read More

    Stephanie Vernon

    Death: Jul 04, 2010
    On July 4, 2010, 34-year-old Stephanie Emory Vernon was found dead in a wooded area near railroad tr t ...Read More

    Christina Leigh McCall

    Death: Aug 28, 2011
    Christina Leigh McCall, a 34-year-old woman from Gastonia, NC, passed away on August 28, 2011. She w ...Read More