A tragic case unfolded in Brandon, Mississippi, where 15-year-old Carly Gregg is accused of murdering her mother, Ashley Smylie, a high school teacher, on March 19. The incident reportedly occurred after Smylie discovered her daughter’s hidden drug use and lifestyle. Prosecutors allege that Gregg, armed with a .357 Magnum, shot her mother after a confrontation about her secret activities, which included vaping and drug use. told by The NY Post.
Surveillance footage from the home shows Gregg shuffling awkwardly through the house, hiding the weapon behind her back before disappearing into her mother’s bedroom. A loud bang, followed by two more gunshots, was heard, along with Smylie’s scream. Moments later, Gregg was seen sitting calmly in the kitchen with her two dogs as if nothing had happened.
Prosecutors claim that Gregg tried to lure her stepfather, Heath Smylie, back to the home by texting, “When will you be home, honey?” When he arrived, she allegedly shot him in the shoulder. Heath managed to overpower her, wresting the gun away.
Earlier that day, Smylie, a math teacher at Northwest Rankin High School, had searched Gregg’s room and discovered vape pens, after receiving a tip about her daughter’s drug use. This discovery reportedly triggered the deadly confrontation. According to testimony from a friend, Gregg had been using drugs and had secret burner phones, which her mother did not know about.
Following the shooting, Gregg texted a friend, asking him to come over, claiming there was an “emergency” and revealing the chilling situation, saying, “Have you ever seen a dead body? My mom is in there.” report from AOL.
Psychiatrist Dr. Andrew Clark testified that Gregg was experiencing a mental health crisis that day, compounded by mood swings, dissociative issues, and the effects of medication. He stated that Gregg had no recollection of the shooting. Heath Smylie also testified in court, saying that his stepdaughter was not herself that day and appeared completely unrecognizable to him.
Despite the tragedy, Heath Smylie revealed that he and Gregg still talk daily and maintain a “good” relationship. Gregg, now 15, has been charged with murder, attempted murder, and tampering with evidence. She turned down a plea deal and could face life in prison if found guilty.
