Prosecutors Say Teen Killed Mom and Showed Friend Corpse: 'Are You Squeamish Around Dead Bodies?'

Mar. 15, 2025

Ashley Smylie and her daughter Carly Madison Gregg.Photo:Northwest Rankin High School; Barbara Gauntt/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK

Northwest Rankin High School; Barbara Gauntt/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK

According to prosecutors, when a 14-year-old Mississippi girl frantically messaged her friend to come over to help with an “emergency” one afternoon this past March, the friend had no idea what she’d witness next.

Ashley Smylie.Northwest Rankin High School

Northwest Rankin High School

Cotton alleged that one video shows the teenager returning to the kitchen after allegedly killing her mother, where the suspect is seen then texting from a phone. The investigation allegedly found that the teen was messaging her stepfather asking when he would be home, according to Cotton.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’sfree True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Cotton alleged in court that between killing her mother and attempting to shoot her stepfather, Gregg was seen in another video “singing to her dog” before texting her friend to come to the house.

Defense attorney Bridget Renea Todd and Carly Madison Gregg.Barbara Gauntt/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK

Barbara Gauntt/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK

source: people.com