Wylam Residents Mourn Tragic Loss on What Should Have Been a Joyous Day
WYLAM, AL – Today, the community of Wylam is grappling with unimaginable sorrow as it marks what should have been a celebration of life. Angeliyah ne-vaeh Jolie Webster, a vibrant young woman who graduated from John Carroll Catholic High School just two years ago, would have turned 21 today. Instead, her family is left reeling from her tragic death. Alongside her boyfriend, Chris Norris, and their unborn son, Webster was found murdered just two days after being reported missing.
A Heartbreaking Promise Broken
Temecia Sistrunk, Angeliyah’s mother, had made a heartfelt promise to her daughter: to send her on a vacation to celebrate turning 21. “I told her, ‘I’m going to send you to Dubai, or wherever you want to go,’” Sistrunk shared with a heavy heart. But as fate would have it, instead of planning that dream trip, Sistrunk is now preparing to celebrate her daughter’s birthday with a small dinner and a cake that reads “21.” To honor Angeliyah’s memory, Sistrunk plans to release balloons into the sky—a symbol of love and remembrance.
A Grief-Stricken Year
The loss is magnified as Sistrunk faced yet another tragedy shortly after Webster’s death. She lost her son to gun violence just four months later. With tears in her eyes, she expressed, “It’s been a nightmare for myself, my family, my grandchildren. Liyah was a very, very important part of our family.” The grief of losing a child is a burden no parent should have to bear.
The Fateful Days
On the evening of February 14, 2024, Angeliyah and Chris were last seen, excited together and headed for a movie date. When the young couple failed to return home, Sistrunk’s feeling of unease grew. “I thought, ‘Maybe they’re just together, it’s Valentine’s night,’” she recalled. But when morning came without any word, panic set in. Despite initially dismissing it, a nagging feeling had her worried about her daughter’s safety. When calls to both Angeliyah and Chris went unanswered, she couldn’t shake the growing fear that something was very wrong.
A Community’s Despair
Concern shifted to alarm when over 24 hours passed without contact. “We were just worried. I had a feeling this was not how it should be,” Sistrunk said. It wasn’t long before they notified the Birmingham Police Department, who promptly issued bulletins for the couple. As hours turned into days, the families’ dread intensified. The fateful discovery came on February 16, when authorities located their bodies in a parked car in a Wylam alley—devastated, Sistrunk was left grappling with nothing but heartache and loss.
A Life Filled with Love
Despite the tragic turn of events, it is important to remember the joy that Angeliyah and Chris shared as they eagerly awaited the arrival of their child. The couple was looking forward to hosting a gender reveal party, set for April 6, where family and friends would learn whether they were having a “Moana” or a “Maui.” “Seven,” the name chosen for their baby, symbolized completion—a precious addition to their lives.
Keeping the Memory Alive
As Sistrunk reflects on the vibrant, loving spirit of her daughter, she insists that Angeliyah was “one of a kind.” Describing her as outspoken and loyal, Sistrunk said, “She had a personality bigger than life.” Furthermore, she revealed the pain lingers deeply, yet she remains hopeful that justice will be served. “I never imagined she would not be here for her 21st birthday. An arrest for this crime would be the best gift I could receive,” said Sistrunk.
Call for Justice
As local investigators continue their work, Sistrunk is determined to keep her daughter’s memory alive while seeking justice. She talks with detectives regularly, hoping one day they will lead her to the answers she desperately seeks. The community also mourns the loss of innocence and life, urging anyone with information to come forward and assist in the investigation. In Wylam, where love and memories still linger, the fight for justice carries on.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Birmingham Police Department at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
