Found Deceased AL - Paighton Houston, 29, left bar with 2 men, Birmingham, 20 Dec 2019

[ardean]

I've put together a file for Paighton complete with sources. Would it be okay to share it here? I stumbled on to her case, and being a Mom, I watched her Mom. That's all it took. I cried, and then I got to work on trying to understand what may have happened, and hoping more than anything that just maybe there could be a good outcome, or if nothing else, answers.

Welcome to the right place. Thank you for caring.

 

[Crimechick27]

Tonight on CBS channel 42 Birmingham, AL, on the 6 Pm news there was a breaking news. There was a large police presence at a house on 33rd North and there was a report of a death investigation. They DID NOT reference this case, but it is a section of town that is a transitional neighborhood with high crime statistics. I checked before posting, no update. This is a neighborhood with high crime and empty houses.

I believe this is only about 5 miles from the last known ping from Paighton’s cell phone.

 

[Seattle1]

Good point about the local drug network being a source of info, if that's involved at all. Not only do those involved often know each other's business but LE's usually plugged into those networks via informants and beat cops making arrests and getting jonesin' arrestees to talk.

They've said her bank accounts haven't been accessed since that day. Wonder if she made any large-ish withdrawals that day. First stop on the way to score is always the ATM. Not completely clear from the reports but it doesn't sound like she stopped at one after leaving the Tin place.

In my 20's, I recall cash gifts were a big thing in our family from maternal and paternal grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. As in many families, we had a family member that was wasted for a good week during holiday break and nothing else to show for his holiday generosity. In other words, no ATM or bank withdrawals required.

Definitely agree about the strong network of between LE, the underground, and also informants.

 

[Ommmm]

This is what doesn’t make sense IMO. She had to have known them or been coerced into leaving with something she couldn’t refuse. Of course, they could have just had game & she was drunk and went... MOO

I’d like to know if she left before or after her friend(s) left. If she got into an argument at the bar with the friend she rode with, was she forced to find another ride?

 

[Seattle1]

I believe this is only about 5 miles from the last known ping from Paighton’s cell phone.

Wow-- can you please direct us to any MSM news of PH's last phone ping! That could be a break in the case!

Also, the comment section of news reports pretty much discount the death investigation related to this case.

 

[UnderTheSouthernCross]

I believe this is only about 5 miles from the last known ping from Paighton’s cell phone.

Was that location reported? Do you have a link? I had not heard that cellphone location was known.

 

[Southern_Girl]

*My thoughts on the text*

“Idk who I'm with, so if I call, please answer. I feel in trouble.”

I think she chose this person to text bc it was who she was with at the bar & her car was likely parked at this person’s house. Also, I’m sure she assumed this person would still be awake & would see her text. This was probably texted quickly when the opportunity arose. I feel like she’d sensed danger & was looking for an opportunity to escape. She found the opportunity to text & she wanted her friend to be looking out for her call in the event she was able to get away from the person(s) unknown to her.

I know I’ve been in a situation before where I have told someone to call me in X minutes if you haven’t heard from me. This was more to use as an excuse to escape an uncomfortable situation by taking an “important call”. I don’t find the text odd for PH to send in a bad situation.

<Snipped by me to avoid any rumors>

 

[cluciano63]

I don't believe anyone has said she shouldn't get attention due to her addiction. She is getting far more media coverage than most missing persons do.

Agreed. I noticed a flyer of a missing young woman locally the other day and when I read it, she has been missing for three years yet I never heard of her before.

Also, OT but Paighton is a woman, not a girl as many people refer to her, imo. Yes she is young compared to me, but if a female is not an adult woman at 29, what age is she? I don’t think a 29-year old man would be referred to as a boy...anyway, just a pet peeve of mine. When people are old enough to drink, buy property, etc...to me they are adults. Or should be...

Jmo

 

[UnderTheSouthernCross]

*My thoughts on the text*
“Idk who I'm with, so if I call, please answer. I feel in trouble.”

I find the timeline a little odd here, however. I read that the friend did not respond to the text until the next morning, by which time all calls were being sent to vmail. However, the text was sent at 12.15a; my bar days have long since passed, but I do know if I were in a bar with live music at 10.30p I was hardly likely to be home asleep 1 hour and 45 minutes later. I might have left the establishment, but I was not likely asleep. I'm just sayin'

 

[Seattle1]

I find the timeline a little odd here, however. I read that the friend did not respond to the text until the next morning, by which time all calls were being sent to vmail. However, the text was sent at 12.15a; my bar days have long since passed, but I do know if I were in a bar with live music at 10.30p I was hardly likely to be home asleep 1 hour and 45 minutes later. I might have left the establishment, but I was not likely asleep. I'm just sayin'

Thank you -- I thought the same thing and on a Friday night too!

As I've yet to see this information about the co-worker/friend reported in MSM and/or linked here I'm not giving it any credibility.

 

[MajorHoople]

Does anyone know who's name Paighton's phone is registered in? is it her name or her parent's name?

 

[UnderTheSouthernCross]

New photos of missing Trussville woman Paighton Houston

In the last photo...Is that a FitBit on her wrist? I cannot tell.

 

[Deleted member 110058]

Does anyone know who's name Paighton's phone is registered in? is it her name or her parent's name?

It doesn't look like she has one registered in her name. Looks to be on a family plan registered to her father's name.

 

[MajorHoople]

britt‏ @ny********
Paighton Houston - still missing. Her coworkers have sat with her empty chair for a week now. If you know something please PLEASE speak up! #PaightonHouston #MissingPerson #missing #alabama

3:09 PM - 27 Dec 2019

Thanks for posting these photos, Seattle. They show that Paighton Houston was a hard working and diligent employee despite her past problems. It's possible that she had a relapse, but I don't believe it. I think that she is the victim of foul play.

 

[Seattle1]

New photos of missing Trussville woman Paighton Houston

In the last photo...Is that a FitBit on her wrist? I cannot tell.

I thought it could be an iwatch or FitBit.

 

[UnderTheSouthernCross]

I thought it could be an iwatch or FitBit.

If that is the Ionic Smartwatch, I believe that has its own GPS and would be trackable. If she were wearing it when she went to the Tin Roof...

(N.B. I am not by any means a FitBit expert)

 

[MajorHoople]

I am not sure what the staffing situation on law enforcement is in Birmingham; I know with where I live now and also where I am from the biggest cities have a lot of crime and only 50% of the number of law enforcement officers that they need, so crime is usually out of control in both of them. I worry that LE could still be scratching their heads not able to put the pieces together to bring her home due to lack of manpower/resources while precious time is being lost every second. I just think LE doesn’t have all the pieces yet, and I really hope they get them soon.

Unfortunately Birmingham has a reputation as a dangerous city. The website City-Data reports that Birmingham's crime "was higher than in 99.2% of U.S. cities in 2018."

One look at this page will convince any sceptic.
https://www.city-data.com/crime/crime-Birmingham-Alabama.html

 

[Seattle1]

Community holding out hope for Paighton Houston’s return

Dec 30, 2019

TRUSSVILLE, Ala. (WIAT) — It has been 10 days since Paighton Houston was last seen.

Now, those who love her are holding out hope that she will be found.

On Monday, dozens turned out at Clearbranch United Methodist Church in Trussville to pray for her safe return, as well as sing and hold candles together to honor Houston.

“It touched us and it means a lot we want to keep this story going,” said Gary Harding, Houston’s uncle. “We want people out there to know we are still searching for Paighton and someone out there has some information and we are asking.”

[..]

“It’s been a gut-wrenching week for our family,” Harding said. “We are hopeful Paighton will return home safely, but it’s been a difficult week not knowing where she is.”

 

[Seattle1]

The Chilling Last Text This Alabama Woman Sent Before Disappearing Over a Week Ago

Dec 30, 2019

Paighton had gone for drinks with a few friends to see live music at a bar called
the Tin Roof, police said. She left about 10:45 p.m., accompanied by two heavy-set African-American men, authorities said.

She appeared to leave willingly, police said. Investigators are reviewing surveillance video from the club, but have not publicly released it. Paighton sent the worrying text a little after midnight, officers said.

She is the third Alabama female to disappear in a high-profile case in the last two months. In October, 19-year-old Aniah Blanchard, stepdaughter of UFC fighter Walt Harris, vanished after stopping a convenience store. After nearly a month of searching, her body was found in the woods near Shorter. She had been shot to death.

The suspect in her killing faces a capital murder charge.

That same month, 3-year-old Kamille "Cupcake" McKinney went missing while playing outside a birthday party in Birmingham. Her body was found a week later, stashed in a dumpster. She had been suffocated, authorities said. Two suspects have been charged with capital murder in that case.

Law enforcement expert Steve Kardian, Inside Edition’s go-to consultant on all things security, offers these tips to women out alone:

“Walk assertively — shoulders back, chest forward," he said. "Present yourself as someone that's not easy to mess with."

Kardian tells women in his safety classes to go “back to basics,” adding that: “common sense needs to be employed better.

"Awareness, being situationally aware of your surroundings — listen to your intuition. Believe in that gut feeling. It's not gonna lie to you.”

 

[Sheila Terranova]

The Chilling Last Text This Alabama Woman Sent Before Disappearing Over a Week Ago

Dec 30, 2019

Paighton had gone for drinks with a few friends to see live music at a bar called
the Tin Roof, police said. She left about 10:45 p.m., accompanied by two heavy-set African-American men, authorities said.

She appeared to leave willingly, police said. Investigators are reviewing surveillance video from the club, but have not publicly released it. Paighton sent the worrying text a little after midnight, officers said.

She is the third Alabama female to disappear in a high-profile case in the last two months. In October, 19-year-old Aniah Blanchard, stepdaughter of UFC fighter Walt Harris, vanished after stopping a convenience store. After nearly a month of searching, her body was found in the woods near Shorter. She had been shot to death.

The suspect in her killing faces a capital murder charge.

That same month, 3-year-old Kamille "Cupcake" McKinney went missing while playing outside a birthday party in Birmingham. Her body was found a week later, stashed in a dumpster. She had been suffocated, authorities said. Two suspects have been charged with capital murder in that case.

Law enforcement expert Steve Kardian, Inside Edition’s go-to consultant on all things security, offers these tips to women out alone:

“Walk assertively — shoulders back, chest forward," he said. "Present yourself as someone that's not easy to mess with."

Kardian tells women in his safety classes to go “back to basics,” adding that: “common sense needs to be employed better.

"Awareness, being situationally aware of your surroundings — listen to your intuition. Believe in that gut feeling. It's not gonna lie to you.”

Gut instinct is correct. My mother, NY homicide reporter, said every single survivor said the same thing to her. They had a bad feeling right before the attack ...but went ahead....(into the basement, dark alley, elevator with stranger, etc)