Shivangi Sinha
Katlyn Lyon Montgomery was found unresponsive in her apartment in Forest, Virginia, in October 2022. Marks on her neck indicated she had been strangled, and investigators later found phone charger cords on her bed, wrapped in a blanket, that were consistent with the injuries. Although she was rushed to the hospital, she passed away the following day. As police examined her personal relationships, they learned she had recently ended a relationship with Trenton Frye, and concerns had been raised about his behavior. The evidence, investigation, and his eventual capture were detailed in CBS’ ‘48 Hours: The Sneak Attack on Katlyn Lyon.’
Trenton Frye Admitted That He Was Struggling With the Breakup
Trenton Frye grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina, but began spending significant time in Forest, Virginia, after entering a relationship with Katlyn Lyon Montgomery. Katlyn was a single mother to a young daughter, and by September 2022, their relationship had sharply declined. Reports indicate that the couple faced emotional strain following a miscarriage and mounting financial difficulties, which ultimately led to their breakup. What followed, however, was deeply concerning. Frye allegedly became increasingly possessive, sending Katlyn numerous messages in which he insulted her and accused her of being responsible for the relationship’s failure.
In addition to the hostile messages, Frye also sent texts in which he acknowledged that his mental health was deteriorating and that he was emotionally unraveling after the breakup. In later testimony, Frye himself admitted that he began stalking Katlyn and said he would drive past locations such as her aunt’s home to determine where she was and what she might be doing. He also acknowledged searching online to see whether she was using dating apps and attempting to locate her social media accounts. Frye further admitted that he was looking for housing in Lynchburg, with the hope that they would reconcile. According to his own statements, he sometimes slept in his car and even searched for the floor plan of Katlyn’s apartment just days before October 6, 2022.
Trenton Frye Checked Himself Into a Behavioral Hospital After Committing the Crime
On October 6, 2022, Trentin Frye entered Katlyn Lyon’s apartment and strangled her using charging cords. He left her unresponsive, then wrapped the cords in a blanket and placed them on a table before leaving the scene. In later testimony, Frye claimed he initially began driving back toward North Carolina, but about twenty minutes later felt compelled to turn around. He said that when he returned, emergency responders were already at the apartment. He added that he watched from a distance as they worked, then drove away again. Shortly afterward, Frye checked himself into Cone Health Behavioral Health Hospital in Greensboro, where he was admitted and remained under care for several weeks.
After Katlyn passed away on October 8, 2022, authorities officially launched a homicide investigation. Detectives quickly examined her recent relationship with Trenton Frye, noting documented tension and concerning behavior, which made him a primary focus. During his initial questioning, Frye claimed he had been in North Carolina, working an overnight shift at the time of the attack. That account unraveled under scrutiny. GPS data placed him near Katlyn’s apartment during the crime, showing he did not return to North Carolina until the following morning. His employer also contradicted his statement, confirming Frye had not been working that night. With the evidence mounting, Frye was arrested in Greensboro, North Carolina, on October 20, 2022, and charged with second-degree murder.
Related
Trenton Frye is Behind Bars in Virginia Today
Trenton Frye remained in custody as the case moved forward, and prosecutors later upgraded the charge to first-degree murder. They argued the killing was premeditated, pointing to evidence of stalking and his actions in the days leading up to the crime. His trial began in March 2025, and the jury found him guilty of first-degree murder. In August 2025, Frye was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. During sentencing, he offered a brief apology to Katlyn Lyon Montgomery’s family. Now 31 years old, Frye is incarcerated at Nottoway Correctional Center in Burkeville, Virginia, where he is expected to spend the remainder of his life.
