Carly Gregg when the name Carly Gregg first appeared in national headlines, few could believe the story attached to it. A 14-year-old girl from Mississippi had done the unimaginable—she had shot and killed her own mother and tried to kill her stepfather. What followed was a case that shocked the nation, not only for its brutality but also for the disturbing details that emerged during the investigation and trial. In 2024, Carly Gregg was sentenced to life in prison, ending one of the most haunting juvenile crime cases in recent years. But behind this tragedy lies a story of a troubled teenager, a broken family dynamic, and a community left searching for answers.
Quick Bio Information
Full Name: Carly Madison Gregg
Age At Crime: 14 Years Old
Age At Sentencing: 15 Years Old
Location: Brandon, Rankin County, Mississippi
Crime Date: March 19, 2023
Victims: Mother – Ashley Smylie (Deceased), Stepfather – Heath Smylie (Survived)
Weapon Used: .357 Magnum Pistol
Charges: First-Degree Murder, Attempted Murder, Tampering With Evidence
Verdict: Guilty On All Counts
Sentence: Life In Prison
School: Northwest Rankin High School
Who Is Carly Gregg
Before her name became synonymous with one of Mississippi’s most unsettling crimes, Carly Madison Gregg was just another student at Northwest Rankin High School in Brandon, Mississippi. At 14, she appeared to be a typical teenager—attending classes, spending time with friends, and living at home with her mother and stepfather. Her mother, Ashley Smylie, was a respected math teacher at the same school and was deeply involved in her daughter’s education. Many described their relationship as close but sometimes tense, particularly as Carly began showing signs of emotional distress.
Those who knew Carly remember her as quiet but occasionally moody. Teachers noticed shifts in her behavior—sometimes she appeared withdrawn, other times irritated or easily upset. Her friends later testified that she had struggled with depression and self-image issues. By the time of the tragedy, Carly had already been under the care of a child psychologist and was taking medication for mental health concerns. Beneath the surface, something deeply troubling was taking shape.
The Day Everything Changed
March 19, 2023, began like any other school day in Brandon, Mississippi. Carly attended classes, but teachers later recalled that she seemed “off”—distracted, irritable, and unable to focus. After school, she went home with her mother. What happened next would forever change her life and devastate everyone who knew her family.
Prosecutors later revealed that Carly went into her parents’ bedroom and retrieved a .357 Magnum pistol hidden beneath the mattress. It was her mother’s gun, one she likely knew was kept there for protection. Hiding the weapon behind her back, she confronted her mother inside her bedroom. Without warning, Carly pulled the trigger three times, fatally shooting her mother. Investigators said the shots were deliberate and closely fired, leaving no chance of survival. Moments later, Carly reportedly waited in ambush for her stepfather, Heath Smylie, to return home—intending to kill him as well. However, he arrived later than expected, preventing another tragedy.
The Disturbing Moment That Shocked Everyone
What makes this case especially haunting is what happened after the killing. Instead of panicking or calling for help, Carly Gregg did something that stunned even experienced investigators. She invited a friend over to her house shortly after the shooting. When the friend arrived, Carly allegedly greeted her with a chilling question: “Are you squeamish around dead bodies?” She then led her to her bedroom, where her mother’s body lay lifeless on the floor.
The friend, horrified by what she saw, quickly left the house and told an adult. Police were called to the scene, and the investigation began almost immediately. That eerie question—“Are you squeamish around dead bodies?”—became one of the most widely quoted lines from the case, symbolizing the disturbing mindset that had overtaken the young teenager. It was this moment that turned the case from a tragic family killing into a national story that would dominate headlines for months.
Arrest And Investigation
Authorities responded to the scene within minutes. Carly Gregg had fled the house but was found nearby and taken into custody without resistance. Police collected the firearm, physical evidence, and statements from witnesses, including her friend and neighbors who had heard gunshots earlier that evening. Investigators pieced together the events and concluded that the shooting had been planned, not a spontaneous act of rage.
Detectives also discovered attempts by Carly to clean parts of the scene, which led to an additional charge of tampering with evidence. The forensic team confirmed that the three bullets fired came from the recovered pistol. During interrogation, Carly remained mostly silent, claiming she didn’t remember what had happened. This led investigators to question whether she was acting out of cold calculation or mental breakdown.
Inside The Courtroom
The trial of Carly Gregg began in September 2024 at the Rankin County Circuit Court in Mississippi. The courtroom was filled with journalists, family members, and community residents who wanted answers. During the proceedings, Carly sat quietly beside her defense attorney, often emotional and tearful. Prosecutors presented a detailed account of the murder, emphasizing the deliberate nature of her actions and her awareness of right and wrong. They argued that she had retrieved the gun knowingly and carried out a planned attack.
Defense attorneys did not dispute that Carly had killed her mother. Instead, they focused on her mental health, insisting she had been in the midst of a severe psychological crisis and had no recollection of her actions. Throughout the trial, the public grappled with one question: was Carly a cold-blooded killer, or a deeply troubled child who needed help?
Mental Health Or Murder
At the center of the trial was the testimony of Dr. Andrew Clark, a child psychologist who had evaluated Carly. He described her as suffering from depression, mood swings, and auditory hallucinations. According to Dr. Clark, she had reported hearing voices that were “getting worse” in the weeks before the shooting. On the day of the crime, she had been “grumpy and irritable” and struggled to focus in class. Dr. Clark also testified that Carly told him her memory “went blank” after letting her dog out that afternoon.
Her defense maintained that this was not a case of evil intent but one of mental collapse. Carly, they said, was a victim of untreated mental illness and side effects from medication that left her feeling numb and detached from reality. However, prosecutors countered that while she may have been troubled, she clearly understood the difference between right and wrong. The jury ultimately agreed with the prosecution.
The Verdict And Sentencing
On September 20, 2024, after days of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict: guilty on all counts—first-degree murder, attempted murder, and tampering with evidence. The judge sentenced Carly Gregg to life in prison. As the verdict was read, she cried silently, her face pale and trembling. For her family, the community, and those who followed the case, the moment marked both justice and tragedy. The image of a 15-year-old girl being led away in handcuffs for killing her own mother became an unforgettable symbol of the case’s darkness.
Remembering The Victims
Lost in the shock of this case is the memory of Ashley Smylie, a beloved mother, teacher, and friend. Colleagues at Northwest Rankin High School described her as patient, encouraging, and dedicated to her students. She was the type of teacher who stayed after class to help struggling students and was deeply respected in the community. Her death left a profound void, not only for her family but also for countless students and parents who admired her.
Her husband, Heath Smylie, survived the attempted ambush but continues to live with the emotional scars of that day. The Smylie family’s tragedy has since become a somber reminder of the fragility of family relationships and the devastating consequences of untreated mental health issues.
Lessons From The Carly Gregg Case
The Carly Gregg case raises powerful questions about mental health, family communication, and youth violence. Could this tragedy have been prevented with earlier intervention or more open dialogue? It’s a heartbreaking example of how teenage emotions, left unaddressed, can spiral into catastrophic outcomes. The case also underscores the importance of access to mental health care for adolescents struggling with depression, anxiety, or trauma.
Experts point out that while not all mental health issues lead to violence, ignoring the warning signs can have severe consequences. Schools and parents are now more aware of the importance of early screening, therapy, and monitoring of medications prescribed to teens. The case has since become a topic of discussion in legal, psychological, and educational circles across the United States.
A Crime That Will Never Be Forgotten
The story of Carly Gregg is one of the most disturbing yet significant juvenile cases in modern Mississippi history. It forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about family life, mental health, and the capacity for violence within youth. While Carly now spends her life behind bars, her case continues to be studied by psychologists, educators, and law enforcement professionals seeking to understand what drives a young person to commit such an act.
The tragedy serves as both a warning and a lesson—reminding us that behind every headline lies a complex story of pain, confusion, and missed opportunities for help. As time passes, the hope is that society learns from this case, ensuring that no family has to endure such devastation again.
Final Thoughts
The story of Carly Gregg is not just a criminal case—it’s a human tragedy that continues to haunt everyone who has heard it. It reminds us of the fragile line between adolescence and accountability, between pain and violence, and between help sought and help missed. As communities reflect on this heartbreaking case, one thing is certain: the need for compassion, understanding, and mental health support for young people has never been greater.
FAQs About Carly Gregg
What Was The Carly Gregg Case About?
The Carly Gregg case involved a 14-year-old girl from Brandon, Mississippi, who killed her mother and attempted to kill her stepfather. She was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Who Was The Victim In The Carly Gregg Case?
The primary victim was her mother, Ashley Smylie, a 40-year-old math teacher at Northwest Rankin High School. Her stepfather, Heath Smylie, was also targeted but survived.
Why Did Carly Gregg Kill Her Mother?
Her exact motive remains unclear. The defense argued she suffered a mental breakdown and did not remember the shooting, while prosecutors claimed she acted deliberately and understood her actions.
What Mental Health Issues Did Carly Gregg Have?
She was diagnosed with depression, had a history of self-harm, and reportedly heard voices before the crime. She was under treatment and had been prescribed medication that made her feel emotionally numb.
When Was Carly Gregg Sentenced?
She was sentenced on September 20, 2024, after being found guilty of all charges by a Rankin County jury.
Where Is Carly Gregg Now?
As of 2025, Carly Gregg is serving a life sentence in a Mississippi correctional facility for her crimes.
What Lessons Can Be Learned From This Case?
The case highlights the urgent need for mental health awareness, early intervention for troubled youth, and stronger family communication to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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