University City Death Investigation

Just after 12 Noon, CMPD patrol units, Charlotte Fire and Medic converged on what is a shut down Baymont Inn. CMPD has listed this as a "Death Investigation" meaning there are no outward signs of foul play.

CMPD Press Release:

Charlotte, N.C. – (Friday, June 6, 2025) – Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s (CMPD) Homicide Unit are conducting a death investigation in the 5000 block of Equipment Drive in the North Tryon Division.

On Friday, June 6, at approximately 12 p.m., officers responded to an assist MEDIC call for service in the 5000 block of Equipment Drive. Upon arrival, officers discovered two subjects who were pronounced on the scene.

Homicide Unit detectives responded to the scene to conduct an investigation. Crime Scene Search responded to process the scene and collect physical evidence. Representatives from CMPD’s Operations Command and MEDIC also responded to assist.

Equipment drive is a seedy area that is an access road along Interstate 85. The former Baymont hotel has seen a difficult history so this is this is complicated. 

It is not clear if the deceased were discovered in a room or just on the property but they have been described as a woman and infant child.

More as details emerge.

Cedar's Take:

When you say Homicide in University City it presents a conflict of terms. 

Such a wonderful name that says hope and promise of the future for things to come. But the area is the freaking pit of despair. The shit hole needs a better name to reflect it's hood status.

Da Creek is good, Da Ford is better. University City needs a hood name that echos the reality of the homelessness, the traffic, the blight, the low rent apartments, extended stay hotels, crime and endless parade of patrol vehicles. Never mind that it is named for the UNCC Campus that sits just to the north.

We need a  new name that reflects the reality of life and death on our city's lowest rung of the ladder. 

All great cities have famous hoods.

LA - Skid Row

New York - Harlem

Chicago - South Side

Philadelphia - North Philly

Miami - Overtown

LA - Compton - LA

New Jersey - Patterson

Greenville, SC - Woodside

Spartanburg, SC - Washington Avenue

Atlanta - Hopkins Street

We need a name that fits but not University City. But it may be too late because today in Charlotte if someone says University, and you automatically think crime.

17-year-old Navaeh Carter Homicide

Nearly a week after the murder of 17 year old Naveh Carter and facts still remain elusive. Why? Perhaps the facts as told by witnesses doesn't match other evidence.

The initial report was straight forward:

"Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Homicide Unit are conducting a homicide investigation at the intersection of North Graham Street and Craighead Road in the North Tryon Division."

One question begins with why was a 17 year old Monroe High School student on the North side of Charlotte at 2 am on a Friday night? How many cars were hit? Just her car, as the CMPD PIO statement indicates or more than one car as facebook and Instagram posts reportedly meantion?

CMPD PIO added to the confusion with the following statement:

 "The victim in this case has been identified as Navaeh Carter, 17. The victim’s family has been notified of his death."

"His Death" was Carter actually a guy? 

If so was this a targeted hate crime? 

Then yesterday the CMPD PIO attached the update and arrest of two suspects in an entirely different case (the murder of Kamorrie Prather) to the original post regarding Carter.

Two dates are also used May 31 and June 2 for the update.

The facts are confusing and the dates are conflicting and the public is left to wonder just how incompetent are the people we are counting on and if the PIO is incompetent how bad is the rest of the operation?

Was this a targeted attack, a hate crime or just a random act of violence? No one is saying.

It is not just the CMPD PIO, the MCSO and Mecklenburg County Courts have issues with names and aliases. The recent arrest of Thomas Cartee as entered by the MCSO is straight forward enough but the clerk's office entered his name as Thomas Cartee III his real name is Thomas Lee Osbon Cartee, III.

But the Mecklenburg Courts have it as Cartee III. Without the coma the ecourts portal doesn't recognize the III as a suffix.

Another example the arrest of Keion Brown is entered as  BROWN, KEION RONTONIO DEPINA by the MCSO but in the court's paperwork his last name is Depina - Brown.

This is a constant issue for CMPD, MCSO and Clerk of Courts. With the explosion of hispanic surnames in the county, the system is overwhelmed. No wonder Sheriff McFadden doesn't want to cooperate with DHS and ICE since the hispanic names are crazy confusing and that's why we have AOC rather than Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

The First 48 -

Unlike the series "The First 48" - "For homicide detectives, the clock starts ticking the moment they are called. Their chance of solving a murder is cut in half if they don't get a lead within the first 48 hours" - the murder of Jahlen McDonald took less than 3 hours to charge and book the shooter Thomas Carlee, III.

Jahlen Kewon McDonald

Interesting twist in the Thomas Cartee case the victim Jahlen McDonald was shot at Cartee's address. Seem's Cartee's mother Merissa "Missy" Massey was either sub-letting or allowing McDonald to reside at the residence she shared with her son Thomas Cartee, III and husband Mark Massey.

Thomas Cartee might have had a defense since the victim was clearly intent on inflicting serious bodily harm on the defendant's mother. However the mag dump (read below) was pretty excessive. 

Thomas Cartee, III Photo Courtesy MCSO

And still the vic Jahlen Kewon McDonald who was arrested in April and then was released might still be alive had the courts held him until trial. 

Jahlen Kewon McDonald Photo Courtesy MCSO

Once again incarceration saves lives!

The rest of the back story is just sad. The landlord Ray Thomas and his wife Mitzi filed eviction paperwork on Monday. But the idiot put "1st of each Month" for date rent was due. That's an automatic dismissal, and clearly failing to wait the required 10 days. Obviously as reaction to the shooting.

Cartee's father passed away in 2005, everyone mom, dad, the shooter has priors, and the sad story just goes on and on.....

It will end up as a plea to voluntary homicide and dropping the robbery charge and he gets 10 years plus probation for 2 maybe restitution to cover the vic family's funeral costs.

Officer's report:

On May 31, 2025, at approximately 0011 hours, North Division Officers responded to 9313 Broken Pine Lane in reference to Domestic Violence Assault with Deadly Weapon with Injury call for service. 

CFD and MEDIC 52 responded to the scene and located the victim suffering from multiple apparent gunshot wounds. Medic Abigail Tucker pronounced the victim deceased at 0023 hours. The victim's pockets appeared to have been turned out.

Detectives spoke with the caller, Merissa Massey, who stated that the victim lived with her. They got into an argument in the living room and the victim threw carpet shampooer at her and then threw a baby chair swing at her striking her in the head. She stated that her son Thomas Cartee, III, shot the victim and left.

The defendant returned to the scene with his sister's fiancee, Christopher Hicks. 

The defendant was picked up by Christopher from Harris Teeter Fuel Station located at 3909 Corning Place where the victim's Dodge Charger was later located by Officers. 

Detectives spoke with Christopher who stated the defendant called his fiancee and defendant's sister, Krystona Cartee, and told them that he "fucked up" and had shot Jahlen after he was beating on his mom, Merissa. 

Christopher provided consent for Detectives to search his white Toyota Camry that he transported the defendant in to the scene. Detectives located two cell phones that Christopher stated should be the defendant's and an extended pisto magazine. Detectives observed loose US Currency and stack of US Currency bound with black rubber band.

Detectives spoke with the victim's girlfriend, Ty'Dasia Martin, who stated that the victim and Merissa were arguing. The victim tossed "vacuum" and Ty'Dasia went to use the nearby bathroom. Ty'Dasia started hearing gunshots and looked outside the bathroom. Her child ran to her saying the victim was on the ground. The defendant, Thomas Cartee III, pointed gun in her face and stated "bitch you better not tell." The victim's black Dodge Charger was left running in the driveway prior to the incident and was now missing. The victim had large sum of US Currency that was bound with black rubber band.

Detectives responded to Christopher's residence and collected the stack of US Currency bound with black rubber band seen in the Toyota Camry previously.

Detectives interviewed the defendant at the LEC. The defendant was advised of his Miranda rights and provided statement of what happened. He stated that the victim arrived with food, the victim and his mother got into an argument, and the victim pushed his mother.The victim threw carpet shampooer at his mother and he went to Jahlen's room to get the black M&P 2.0 pistol that Jahlen was holding for him. He came back to the living room and saw the victim throw "car seat" at his mother and hit her in the head. He pulled the gun from his right Waistband fired at the victim approximately 9 or 10 times until the magazine was empty.

He took the victim's Charger and drove around. The keys were in the vehicle. The victim had money in the car. He drove around and called Krystona until she answered and told her and Christopher what had happened. He stated that he threw the firearm in dumpster near restaurant, threw his phones in pond behind the Harris Teeter, threw the car keys, and used some of the victim's money to purchase "blacks" (cigars). He also gave away money to the homeless and other subjects in excess of $200.00.

Detectives are seeking charges for Murder and Robbery with Dangerous Weapon.

Cedar's Take someone needs to start a go-fund me for Massey, Thomas Cartee and even for the family of Jahlen McDonald.

Maurice Quick The Face of Evil

Maurice Quick Photo Courtesy of MCSO

Last week this evil MoFo broke into his estranged wife's home. At the time he had just been served a restraining order, but that didn't prevent him from beating her unconscious.

Her injuries so severe that CMPD Officers and Medic questioned if she was going to survive.

Quick later told officers he didn't know if she was dead or not but he took full responsibility for his actions.

The sick part is they arrested this POS back on May 15th for attacking her yet the Mecklenburg County Judicial System let him out of jail the same day, on a unsecured bond.

But it gets worse, Monday morning in court with Quick in jail across the street, Mecklenburg County ADA Samantha Pendergrass dismissed the charges related to the May 15th attack. Saying there was insufficient evidence.

You would hope she's clueless or that she's been doing the job in the Mecklenburg County DA's Office so long she just doesn't care, because to think otherwise would mean she dismissed the charges for the first attack knowing he nearly killed her during the second.

From the CMPD report:

On May 29, 2025, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police responded to report of an occupied residential breaking and entering call for service reported at XXXXX XXXX Drive.

The female complainant and victim, later identified as XXXXXXXX Quick, indicated in the call that her husband kicked her door in and was breaking into the house and that she had an ex parte order to keep him away from the home.

The female complainants voice, as well as males voice, could be heard in the background of the 911 call. The male voice could be heard making statements to include "I'm done with you".

The female could be heard screaming in the background, before she stopped responding to the 911 dispatcher.

Officers responded and encountered the male defendant, later identified as Maurice Quick, in the immediate vicinity of the incident location walking into the road with his hands raised.

Officers made verbal inquiry asking what happened, to which the defendant responded by making multiple statements including "she's dead". Officers then took the defendant into custody.

Officers located the victim, Ms. Quick, outside of the residence, suffering from what they described initially as major head trauma to include severe bruising, swelling, and visible loss of blood around the victims eyes, nose, mouth and entire facial area.

The victim was transported via ambulance to hospital in life threatening condition; She was not conscious and was therefore unable to give officers any additional statement or information before being taken into surgery.

The defendant was interviewed by Detectives. After being advised of his Miranda rights and signing waiver of those rights, the defendant made numerous statements concerning this incident.

The defendant indicated that he blacked out and could not recall specifically what happened and that he didn't know if the victim was dead or not, but that he knew he was going to do time and that he took responsibility for what happened.

The defendant was observed to have blood on his clothing and shoes, which were collected as evidence. At the time of this incident, there was valid Ex Parte Domestic Violence Protective Order (25CV601 145-590) in effect which granted the victim possession of the residence and ordered the defendant to have no contact with her.

The order was issued on May 27, 2025 in Mecklenburg County by the Honorable Judge Aretha Blake. The order was confirmed to be served on the defendant in person by the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office as of 1:35 PM on May 29, 2025 by Deputy D. Jones, and was effective until June 10, 2025.

At this time the investigation of this incident is active and ongoing, and the victims ultimate condition and prognosis has not yet been confirmed.

Maurice Quick is charged with:

Attempted First-Degree Murder

Assault Inflicting Serious Bodily Injury

Assault with Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury

Breaking and/or Entering with Intent to Terrorize and/or Injure

Assault on Female

Midsomer Crime of Domestic Violence

Violation of Domestic Violence Protective Order

He remains in custody at the Mecklenburg County Detention Center under a $850,000 bond.

The Eyes Have It! (ReDux)

It is often said "the eyes are the window to the soul" a quote often attributed to William Shakespeare, Leonardo Da Vinci, the philosopher Cicero and even Jesus in the bible from Matthew "The eye is the lamp of the body" so it comes as no surprise that the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office see some really odd, freaky and often scary mofos.

Here's just a sampling from the last two weeks:

Robert Alex McCullum 

DOB 8/15/1971

DV PROTECTIVE ORDER VIOLATION

MISD CRIME OF DOM VIOLENCE

INTERFERE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION

FALSE IMPRISONMENT

FELONY STALKING

Da'Shawn Anthony Tillman

DOB: 3/24/2001

LARCENY OF MOTOR VEHICLE (FELONY)

FINANCIAL TRANSACTION CARD FRAUD (MISDEM

Isiah Stevenson

DOB: 2/21/2001

Second Degree Trespassing

Brian Paynter

DOB: 9/24/1972

RESISTING PUBLIC OFFICER

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

Timothy Prince Record

DOB: 9/8/2005

SIMPLE ASSAULT

RESISTING PUBLIC OFFICER

ASSAULT BY POINTING A GUN

Jennifer Lee Callan

DOB: 5/26/1980

DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED

DaJwon Hatcher

DOB: 4/30/1996

ROBBERY WITH DANGEROUS WEAPON

ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON

Natalie Ruth Howie

Charlotte's independent news sources get a lot of things right. People like Charlitt, Charlotte News Alerts and others often post the stories long before "main stream media" even wakes up.

Sadly last week the post on Natalie Howie's death by Charlotte News Alerts got it wrong. According to CMPD investigators Ms. Howie took her own life.

Her obituary:

She was 18 years young and a senior at Independence High School.

Natalie was a lifelong resident of the town of Mint Hill and Mecklenburg County.

Natalie was preceded in death by her grandfather Dennis Abraham who she loved as Papa Abe. Natalie is survived by a large family that she loved and who loves her and will miss her dearly: dad, Dustin; mom, Lisa; big brother Trent; and her Yorkie Belle who Natalie loved with all of her heart. She is also survived by grandparents Gail Abraham of Concord, NC; Doris Hoke of Heath Springs, SC and John and Virginia Howie of Charlotte, NC; great great aunt Margaret Hill of Fairview,NC; fiancée Emiliano Leon, his dad Rene, mom Liliana, and brother Lauro; aunts and uncles, Steve Abraham of Charlotte, NC; Matt and Mary Osborne of Coventry, CT; Chad and Kym Howie of Ackworth, GA; Cameron and Leslie Howie of Fairview, NC; cousins Roby Abraham of Atlanta, Ga, Isabel Osborne of Coventry, CT, Eloise Osborne of Madrid, Spain, Alyssa Howie of Fairview, NC, Erick Howie of Fairview, NC, Priscilla Howie of Ackworth, GA, and Vivian Howie of St. Petersburg, FL.

Natalie never met a stranger and has many friends at Restoration Church of Indian Land, SC where she is a charter member, Independence High School where she was member of the National Honor Society, and at Chick-Fil-A Mint Hill where her favorite task was working the drive through line.

Natalie was planning on attending NC State University and studying to become a veterinarian. From the time she could walk and talk she loved and cared for every animal that crossed her path.

Natalie volunteered at school as a member of the student council, Youth Commission International, art club, and newspaper staff, at church as a teacher in children’s church, with the Special Olympics, YMCA day camps, and at KCBS BBQ contests.

Natalie’s favorite food was steak, she was a Steak Cook Off Association judge and loved to travel to contests with her Dad and big brother. Natalie was baby miss Mint Hill and baby miss Mecklenburg County in 2008.

Natalie’s family asks that if you have a family member who struggles with mental health that you get them any help that you can and that you hug and love them every day.

A celebration of life service for Natalie will be held on Saturday, May 31st, 2025 at Restoration Church in Indian Land, SC. Visitation with the family will start at 10:00 am and the service will start at 12 noon. Please visit the church's website link for livestream info.

In lieu of flowers a donation may be made in Natalie’s name to the building fund for the new sanctuary under construction at her church. Restoration Church, 8365 Possum Hollow Rd, Indian Land, SC, 29707

Cedar's Take:

Natalie's funeral will be tomorrow. It is hard to imagine why such a beautiful girl would take her own life. We as a society have a habit of hiding these stories. The News Media will not mention her death. There is the old idea that if one young person takes their life others will follow so it is better to not discuss this.

CMPD scrubs their Alerts and her death is only noted on the coroner's report and a closed homicide investigation files.

But news of Natalie's death and the details spread quickly neighbors knew within an hour, Independence High School sent a poorly worded message to parents and text messages between students were endless. 

Yes, sadly Natalie took her own life. We the public are trusting of investigators and yet there is always a nagging doubt and the question why? What could be so bad that she'd choose all that gave her joy?

Still the one takeaway is pay attention to your loved ones, friends, co-workers, fellow students and children. They have struggles and fears and often pain that is never visible. 

Some People Just Need To Stay Locked Up!

Freaks in particular.

So why do Mecklenburg County Judges keep letting this freak out of jail?

William Anthony Dibella aka Steven Dibella Photo Courtesy MCSO

William and his twin Brother Stephen have records in Gaston, and Mecklenburg counties along with Dozens of arrests, countless B&E and Auto theft charges, endless parole and probation violations and likey untold number of crimes not yet discovered. 

William's latest: Flee and Elude, Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle, Drugs and more. 

Add a probation violation on priors and more pending B&E charges.

But the Meck DA and Judges will turn him lose once again. You've been warned.