On January 7, 2023, in High Point, North Carolina, 46-year-old Athalia Athena Crayton was tragically killed in a murder-suicide perpetrated by her husband, 45-year-old Robert J. Crayton Jr. The incident also claimed the lives of their three children: 18-year-old Kasin, 16-year-old Nyla, and 10-year-old Nasir. Two other individuals, aged 22 and 25, managed to escape the residence and sought help from neighbors.
Athalia, affectionately known as "Art," was a Jamaican-American born to parents from Kingston, Jamaica. She grew up in Miami and South Carolina and had lived in South Korea and Pennsylvania. A U.S. Army veteran, she served honorably as a sergeant in the Second Infantry Division as a heavy equipment mechanic. Beyond her military service, Athalia was a certified life coach, interior designer, and a student at North Carolina A&T State University. Her family remembers her as a dedicated mother and a loving individual who poured her heart into everyone she met.
Investigations revealed that Robert had a history of mental illness. Police records indicate that officers had responded to the family's residence five times since 2014, including serving an involuntary mental commitment order to Robert on January 3, 2022. Despite these interventions, the motive behind the tragic events remains unclear. Authorities have expressed that they may never fully understand what led to this devastating act.
The community and extended family were left in shock and mourning. Athalia's family released a statement expressing their grief and highlighting the positive impact she and her children had on those around them. They described Athalia as "an incredible woman" and "everyone’s best friend," emphasizing her commitment to her family and community. Memorial services were planned to honor the lives lost in this heartbreaking incident.
