GASTONIA, N.C. — A caregiver in Gaston County is facing serious legal repercussions after a car accident led to the discovery of a young woman’s body in her home. Marlo Wallace, 59, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Aaliyah Fortner, a 23-year-old nonverbal woman with autism who lived under Wallace’s care.
The tragic case began on October 26, 2025, when Wallace was involved in a serious crash with a semi-truck on Interstate 85. After the accident, she reportedly informed police that they would find a deceased individual at her residence on Green Brook Trail in Dallas. When officers responded to the home, they discovered Fortner’s body, initiating an investigation that would reveal deeply troubling allegations.
Initially, Wallace faced several charges, including concealment of a corpse, patient abuse and neglect, and felony assault against a person with disabilities. As detectives gathered evidence, they uncovered indications that Fortner had suffered multiple assaults. Arrest records described a pattern of abuse, alleging that Wallace had inflicted severe harm on Fortner, including repeated physical attacks, use of a Taser, and other forms of violence.
The case escalated to a homicide investigation as medical findings confirmed the severity of Fortner’s injuries. Prosecutors waited for autopsy results before upgrading Wallace’s charges to first-degree murder, claiming that she acted with intent to kill. Reports indicated that Fortner’s health had deteriorated significantly, as she weighed just 84 pounds at the time of her death and had lost nearly 60 pounds in the months leading up to it. Specific injuries consistent with blunt force trauma were recorded, though detailed autopsy findings have yet to be publicly disclosed.
Relatives of Fortner have expressed their anguish over the inability of their loved one to communicate her distress. Her brother, Caleb Simpson, spoke about the anguish of not knowing what Fortner endured in her final days. He expressed deep frustration with the system, declaring that his sister should never have been placed in Wallace’s home. “The state failed Aaliyah,” he remarked, highlighting a broader concern regarding oversight of caregivers for vulnerable individuals.
The home where the abuse allegedly occurred is under scrutiny, as Wallace operated a facility designed to care for individuals with special needs. Reports reveal that Wallace had previously lost guardianship of another nonverbal adult, raising questions about how Fortner came to be in her care. Simpson’s concerns reflect a growing sentiment that systemic failures contributed to Fortner’s tragic outcome.
Investigators have indicated that the abuse Fortner suffered was not isolated. Legal documents revealed multiple incidents of violence, some of which may have been captured on video. A prosecutor noted that Wallace attempted to delete this footage. The defense has not yet addressed the evidence publicly, and Wallace remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.
As of mid-July, Wallace remains incarcerated in the Gaston County Jail, with her next court hearings pending. Alongside her, another caregiver, Vera Williams, faces charges related to abuse and neglect. With bail previously set at $2.5 million, the legal landscape has shifted after the murder charges were introduced, complicating the case further.
As the prosecution moves forward, Fortner’s family continues to seek answers amidst lingering questions about caregiving practices and accountability in cases of individuals with disabilities. The investigation remains ongoing, with the court expected to delve deeper into the troubling circumstances surrounding this tragic case as the legal process unfolds.