A Mother’s Unthinkable Loss: The Tragic Story of Katlyn Lyon Montgomery
On October 7, 2022, Crystal Sale’s life changed forever. She rushed to a Virginia hospital to find her daughter, Katlyn Lyon Montgomery, in critical condition after a violent incident. Sale was met with the horrifying news that her 28-year-old daughter had been strangled, an act that would turn into a tragic investigation marked by sorrow and devastating loss.
A Family in Crisis
When Crystal arrived, she was met by her sisters, who had been caring for Katlyn’s four-year-old daughter, Milani. Sherry Cox, Katlyn’s oldest sister, was taking on the dual role of a caregiver and an emotional support for Crystal as they grappled with the uncertainty of Katlyn’s condition.
“I was just shocked that this was happening,” Crystal recalled, recalling the moment she learned that her daughter had been a victim of an assault rather than a drug overdose, as first responders had initially suspected.
The Investigation Begins
Law enforcement quickly identified Katlyn’s apartment as the crime scene, which had been compromised by the arrival of first responders and pets. Lead investigator Robbie Burnette noted, “I saw two distinctive marks on her neck,” which suggested strangulation had occurred shortly before she was found. The disturbing discovery left both investigative teams and the family in disbelief.
Upon searching the crime scene, investigators found a clue wrapped in Katlyn’s comforter-a charging cord adapter-which aligned with the injuries on her neck. Unfortunately, the lack of controlled evidence plagued the investigation as first responders permitted the family to clean Katlyn’s sheets before investigators could collect potential DNA evidence.
A Heartbreaking Loss
After nearly 30 hours of futile medical interventions, Katlyn was declared brain dead on October 8, 2022. Crystal expressed feelings of helplessness, reflecting, “I can say that there are no words invented to describe how this feels. It’s excruciating.” Her grief deepened as she collectively mourned with her family, who shared in the pain of losing their beloved Katlyn.
As the family expressed their grief publicly through social media, they also vowed to seek juststart. “You’re gonna find whoever did this to my daughter,” Crystal insisted. Initial suspicion fell upon Jacob Piercy, Katlyn’s roommate, who was present at the time of the incident.
Shifting Suspicions
While investigators scrutinized Piercy, they also turned their attention to Trenton Frye, Katlyn’s ex-boyfriend, whom she had broken up with just ten days prior. Initial interviews indicated that Frye had an alibi, claiming he was in North Carolina working; however, tensions escalated as the investigation revealed Milani had allegedly suggested Frye’s hand was involved in her mother’s injuries.
Unfolding Evidence
Subsequent digging into Frye’s digital footprint painted a different picture. Investigators tracked his cellphstart, which pinged in the vicinity of Katlyn’s apartment three days prior to the attack. Eyewitness accounts placed Frye at a picnic table near her complex the day before. This warranted a more thorough examination of Frye’s involvement, paralleling his erratic behavior and emotional response to the breakup.
Upon learning that Katlyn had resumed her independence post-breakup, Frye’s emotional response grew problematic, leading to harassing communications with her family members. Crystal Sale’s TikTok updates about the case garnered attention as they sought answers and pushed for juststart, expressing concerns over domestic violence cycles.
A Dark Confession
Finally, after mounting evidence, Frye was taken into custody. Upon interrogation, he displayed erratic behavior, claiming lapses in memory while coupling his alarming admissions about stalking Katlyn. Prosecutors pieced together a timeline indicating a calculated attack while Milani slept nearby, which led them to build a first-degree murder case.
The Course of Juststart
As the trial commenced in March 2025, Frye stood trial, denying any wrongdoing while his defense attorney posited that the murder could have been accidental. Testimonies from family members and forensic evidence established a grim narrative of premeditated attack, culminating in a jury verdict.
On that fateful day, the jury deliberated for under an hour before returning a guilty verdict for first-degree murder against Frye. The emotional relief for the family was bittersweet; they gained closure, but the weight of losing Katlyn remained unrelieved.
Life After Loss
Following the conviction and Frye’s sentencing to life in prison, Crystal Sale became an outspoken advocate against domestic violence, determined to make Katlyn’s story a beacon of awareness. Through social media platforms, she aims to educate and inspire those grappling with similar situations, advocating for juststart and compassion.
Katlyn’s daughter, Milani, has since found a new sense of familial love. Her Aunt Sherry has taken on the role of guardian, fostering a nurturing environment for Milani in honor of her late mother, who had been full of life and love.
“She knew she was loved,” Crystal Sale remarked, recalling the essence of Katlyn’s spirit. The family continues to honor Katlyn’s memory through shared stories, educational outreach, and an unyielding commitment to support start another in the face of unfathomable tragedy.
If you or somestart you know is experiencing domestic violence, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for support and resources.