Tragedy on Twilight Way: South Toe Community Shaken by Fatal Homicide and Crash
The quiet mountain community of South Toe, nestled in the heart of Yancey County, North Carolina, was rocked by a devastating sequence of events on a cold Sunday evening in early November. Deputies responding to two separate emergencies soon realized they were dealing with a single, connected tragedy — a homicide and a serious car crash that would leave one woman dead and another family member facing a murder charge.
At approximately 6:45 p.m., Yancey County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence on Twilight Way, a small road lined with homes that overlook the Blue Ridge foothills. Inside the modest house, deputies discovered Emma Gibbs Deyton, aged 71, lying unresponsive. Despite emergency medical efforts, she was pronounced dead at the scene. According to investigators, the condition of the scene made it immediately apparent that her death was not accidental.
As the investigation began unfolding at the Deyton residence, emergency crews several miles away were tending to the aftermath of a violent single-vehicle crash along Mountain Road. The wrecked vehicle, described as a dark-colored pickup truck, had veered off the narrow mountain road and struck a tree. The driver was identified as Henry Paul Deyton, 44, who sustained critical injuries.
Within minutes, medical personnel determined that his condition required immediate air transport. As the helicopter’s blades cut through the cold mountain air, deputies back at the Twilight Way scene began piecing together a disturbing connection — the driver and the deceased shared the same last name.
Henry Deyton was flown to Johnson City Medical Center in Tennessee, where he remained hospitalized under police supervision. Meanwhile, detectives at the scene continued to gather evidence, working late into the night to reconstruct the timeline of what had transpired inside the home. By the next morning, the Yancey County Sheriff’s Office announced that a murder warrant had been issued against Henry Paul Deyton in connection with Emma Deyton’s death.
Authorities have not publicly confirmed the relationship between the two, though neighbors and local residents indicated that Emma and Henry were related — possibly mother and son. Officials have withheld confirmation of the exact nature of their connection pending further investigation and next-of-kin notification.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has joined the case, collaborating closely with Yancey County deputies to piece together the events leading to the tragedy. Investigators are focusing on three key questions: what happened inside Emma Deyton’s home before her death, how Henry’s vehicle came to crash just miles away, and what may have triggered the violent sequence of events.
Authorities have declined to disclose the cause of Emma’s death, citing the ongoing investigation. However, Sheriff’s Office spokespersons have confirmed that the evidence supports a clear finding of homicide.
Law enforcement officials are appealing to the public for assistance. They are seeking information from anyone who may have seen Henry Deyton’s vehicle in the hours leading up to the crash or who had recent contact with Emma Deyton.
Residents of South Toe, a community known for its close-knit ties and tranquil setting, expressed shock and sorrow over the news. Friends described Emma as a “kind and gentle woman,” someone who was well-loved and often seen tending her small garden or chatting with neighbors on her porch. Many in the community have gathered to offer prayers and support, lighting candles in her memory and placing flowers near her driveway.
As investigators continue their work, the mountain town of South Toe is left grappling with grief and disbelief. In a place where neighbors rarely lock their doors, this tragedy has left a lasting scar — a reminder that even in the quietest corners of North Carolina, heartbreak can strike without warning.
