Aaliyah Michelle Fortner Obituary: 23-Year-Old’s Death in North Carolina Group Home Raises Serious Concerns Over Abuse and Neglect
The death of 23-year-old Aaliyah Michelle Fortner in a North Carolina group home has drawn widespread attention to allegations of caregiver abuse, neglect, and failures in the protection of vulnerable adults. Fortner, a nonverbal woman with autism who required around-the-clock care, died in October 2025 at a residence in Dallas, Gaston County.
Her death became the subject of a homicide investigation after police discovered her body inside a home on Greenbrook Trail on October 26, 2025. The discovery followed a traffic collision involving Marlo Wallace, who was operating the residence where Fortner had been living.
Allegations of Abuse and Mistreatment
According to court documents and reports from law enforcement, Fortner was allegedly subjected to repeated physical abuse while under the care of individuals responsible for her well-being.
The allegations included being struck with objects, pushed to the ground, and shocked with a Taser. Investigators also reported claims that a broom was broken over her body and that she was stomped on the head.
Marlo Wallace and Vera Williams Wallace were arrested in November 2025 in connection with allegations of patient abuse, neglect, and assault involving a person with disabilities.
Autopsy Findings and Cause of Death
An autopsy later established that Fortner died from severe protein-calorie malnutrition resulting from inadequate nutritional intake associated with caregiver neglect. The medical examiner classified her death as a homicide.
The report also documented significant weight loss in the months before her death, along with blunt-force injuries to several parts of her body.
In June 2026, Marlo Wallace was charged with first-degree murder in connection with Fortner’s death. She had previously faced charges involving patient abuse, neglect, and concealment of a death from unnatural causes. Vera Williams Wallace also faced charges related to alleged abuse and neglect.
Continuing Legal Proceedings
The case has continued to receive attention as prosecutors consider how to proceed against the primary defendant. In August 2026, the Gaston County district attorney requested additional time to decide whether to pursue the death penalty.
Fortner’s death has left family members and others who cared for her seeking accountability. Her case has also renewed concerns about oversight, safeguarding procedures, and the responsibility of residential care providers to protect people who depend on them.
Aaliyah Michelle Fortner’s memory remains central to a case that has prompted difficult questions about the treatment and protection of vulnerable adults.