DURHAM -- The investigation continues after Durham police found the body of 17-year-old Tierra Hall, a student at Jordan High School, over the weekend.
They found her body behind a house on Trotter Ridge Road just before 5 p.m. Saturday. Few details have been released but police say they are treating it as a homicide.
Koteya Hall, the victim’s mother, said her daughter was a sophomore at Charles E. Jordan High School and that she attended classes Friday.
But when Koteya returned home from work later that evening, her daughter was not there. Initially she thought that she might be out with friends.
As hours passed, her worries grew. She thought about calling police, until she heard a knock at her door early Saturday morning.
"They told me my baby was dead. I could not believe that. I would not believe that. I started seeing pictures being posted everywhere of my baby. Nobody's telling me anything. I don't know anything, it's agonizing,” said Koteya Hall.
A nearby resident said that someone who was checking out the house Saturday and discovered the body lying on the back porch. Durham Police Chief Jose Lopez said at this point, investigators have more questions than answers.
"[It] doesn't look like it was a random act. We're very much concerned. We're vigorously investigating it at this point,” said Lopez.
Koteya Hall said she and her daughter moved to Durham from Texas three years go, calling it their "second chance." She said Tierra was happy-go-lucky and very humble, and said it's hard coming to grips with being all alone.
"I need all the help I can get, all the prayers I can get, all the well wishes I can get, just help me,” said Koteya Hall.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help raise money for Hall's funeral. As of Monday morning, donations were at $1,000
But before theen she said she plans to organize a vigil for family and friends.
Anyone with any information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 919-683-1200.