On January 7, 2023, in High Point, North Carolina, 16-year-old Nyla Athena Joyce Crayton tragically lost her life in a murder-suicide incident. Her father, 45-year-old Robert J. Crayton Jr., fatally shot Nyla, her mother Athalia, aged 46, and her brothers Kasin, 18, and Nasir, 10, before taking his own life.
The High Point Police Department responded to the family's residence on Mossy Meadow Drive after receiving reports of two individuals, aged 22 and 25, fleeing the home and seeking
help. Upon arrival, officers forced entry into the house and discovered the five deceased family members. Investigations revealed that Robert Crayton Jr. had a history of mental health issues; an involuntary mental commitment order had been served to him in January 2022.
The community was deeply affected by this tragedy. Guilford County Schools confirmed that both Kasin and Nyla were students at Ragsdale High School, while Nasir attended Union Hill Elementary School. Crisis teams were deployed to these schools to support grieving students and staff.
Family members remembered Athalia and her children as vibrant individuals who brought light to everyone they met. Athalia, known as "Art," was a Jamaican-American and a U.S. Army veteran who had served as a sergeant and heavy equipment mechanic. She was also a certified life coach and interior designer, and had studied at North Carolina A&T State University. Her dedication as a loving mother was especially highlighted by her family.
The investigation into the incident was extensive, with authorities striving to understand the motives behind such a devastating act. High Point Police had responded to the Crayton residence multiple times since 2014, including for domestic-related incidents. Despite these prior interactions, the exact reasons leading to the tragedy remain unclear. Lieutenant Patrick Welch of the High Point Police Department stated, "We may never know why; what goes through the hearts and minds of a person that would do this sometimes dies with them."
The loss of Nyla and her family members left an indelible mark on the High Point community, prompting discussions on mental health awareness and the importance of seeking help in times of crisis.
