A 59-year-old caregiver in North Carolina faces first-degree murder charges in the death of a 23-year-old nonverbal woman with autism who lived in her home.
Marlo Wallace stands accused of killing Aaliyah Fortner after an investigation began following an October 26, 2025, vehicle crash in Gastonia. Wallace told officers they would find a deceased person at her residence on Green Brook Trail in Dallas. Police found Fortner's body at the home. An autopsy led prosecutors to charge Wallace with first-degree murder, alleging she assaulted Fortner on multiple occasions by hitting her with objects, using a Taser, kicking her and stomping on her head. Wallace was initially charged with concealment of death, patient abuse and neglect, and felony assault of an individual with disabilities. Another caregiver, Vera Williams, faces patient abuse and neglect charges as well. Fortner's brother, Caleb Simpson, expressed anger that his nonverbal sister could not communicate what happened. Wallace remains in jail with a court appearance scheduled for June 19.