Gaston County woman now facing murder charge in death of disabled woman

A Gaston County woman is now facing a murder charge in connection to the death of a disabled woman in her care, according to the Gastonia Police Department.

Marlo Wallace, 59, was charged with first-degree murder on Thursday in connection to 23-year-old Aaliyah Fortner’s death in October 2025. She was charged with concealment of death from unnatural causes, patient abuse and neglect, and assault of an individual with disabilities at the time of her arrest.

On Oct. 26, 2025, officers responded to a crash on I-85 near Exit 21 involving Wallace and a semi-truck. Wallace was transported to the hospital and reportedly told investigators that they would find a dead body at her house in Dallas, North Carolina.

Officers responded to the address where they found Fortner’s body. Investigators say Fortner had been living under the care of Wallace and Vera Williams at the time of her death.

Williams was charged with patient abuse and neglect and assault on an individual with disabilities.