Porch surveillance image released as part of the investigation into the Nancy Guthrie case.
Public Records Reveal Ransom Messages Sent After Nancy Guthrie Disappeared
By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose
Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her home in the Catalina Foothills near Tucson, Arizona, during the early morning hours of February 1, 2026. Six months later, publicly released investigative records continue to provide insight into one of the most unusual aspects of the case.
Among the documents released are messages that appeared to demand a ransom and later claimed Nancy Guthrie had died. The messages became part of the investigation and remain included in the publicly released records.
Ransom Message Demanded Bitcoin
Redacted ransom note documents included in the investigative records for the Nancy Guthrie case.
According to publicly released records, one message claimed Nancy Guthrie had been kidnapped and demanded a multi-million-dollar Bitcoin payment in exchange for her safe return.
The message included a deadline, threatened harm if payment was not made, and referenced details about Nancy Guthrie’s home. Investigators documented the message as part of the case.
At the time, there was no public confirmation that the claims made in the message were true.
Second Message Claimed Nancy Guthrie Died
Nancy Guthrie in an undated family photo provided as part of case coverage.
A second message later claimed Nancy Guthrie had died shortly after being taken.
The message stated that her death was not intentional and expressed sympathy to her family. It also claimed she had been buried in a natural area.
Authorities included the message in the investigative file that was later released as a public record.
Investigators Examined the Messages
Law enforcement reviewed the messages as part of the investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.
Publicly released records show the communications were preserved as evidence, but investigators have not publicly confirmed who authored the messages or whether any of the claims contained in them were accurate.
As with many criminal investigations, detectives examined numerous leads while working to determine what happened.
Why These Records Matter
The release of investigative records provides the public with a better understanding of the evidence reviewed during the case.
While the messages generated significant attention, they represent only one part of the overall investigation. Any conclusions about who sent them or why should be based on official investigative findings rather than speculation.
As additional records become public, they may continue to provide new details about the investigation.
If you have information related to the case, contact the investigating law enforcement agency.
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Home Security Camera (Indoor/Outdoor) – If you’re interested in true crime or home security, a smart security camera is one of the best ways to monitor your property and record suspicious activity.
Planning to visit Texas for court proceedings, historical research, or to explore the areas connected to this case? Find hotels that fit your budget through my Hotels.com affiliate link.
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Rhonda Renee Johnson, left, and Sharon Lynn Shaw disappeared after traveling from Webster to Galveston on August 4, 1971.
By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose
Two teenage friends left Webster for a summer day in Galveston on August 4, 1971. They never returned home.
Nearly 55 years later, the deaths of Rhonda Renee Johnson and Sharon Lynn Shaw remain surrounded by painful questions, a controversial confession and competing claims about who was responsible.
Rhonda was 14 years old. Sharon was 13 and just days away from her 14th birthday.
Their case became one of the earliest and most troubling mysteries associated with a series of young women and girls who disappeared across the Houston-Galveston region during the 1970s.
A Summer Trip to Galveston
Rhonda Johnson and Sharon Shaw traveled from Webster to Galveston on August 4, 1971, before they disappeared.
According to federal court records, Sharon and Rhonda were last seen on August 4, 1971, after leaving Webster for a day trip to Galveston, about 25 miles away.
The two friends reportedly spent time near the beach and Galveston Seawall. However, they did not make it home that evening.
Their disappearance launched a search that continued for months.
Their Remains Were Found Months Later
On January 3, 1972, human remains were discovered in the Clear Lake area.
Additional remains were found several weeks later. Authorities identified the victims as Sharon Shaw and Rhonda Johnson.
The medical examiner could not determine the cause of their deaths because there was no identifiable damage to the bones or skulls, according to the federal appellate record.
The discovery confirmed the families’ worst fears. However, determining who killed the girls would become far more complicated.
Michael Lloyd Self Was Convicted
Michael Lloyd Self was convicted in Sharon Shaw’s death after the teenagers disappeared following a trip to Galveston in August 1971. This Galveston beach image is illustrative.
Investigators eventually focused on Michael Lloyd Self, a Galveston-area gas station attendant.
Self signed a confession after being questioned by police. He later withdrew it and claimed officers had threatened and physically abused him until he confessed.
Self was prosecuted for Sharon Shaw’s murder and received a life sentence. His conviction was upheld by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.
Questions about the confession followed the case for decades.
In 1991, a federal district court granted Self’s request for habeas relief after finding that his confession had been obtained in violation of his constitutional rights. However, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals later reversed that decision and allowed the conviction to stand.
Self maintained his innocence and died in prison in 2000.
A Second Man Claimed Responsibility
Edward Harold Bell in a 1978 Pasadena Police Department mugshot. Bell later claimed responsibility for several killings in Southeast Texas, but he was never charged in the deaths of Rhonda Johnson or Sharon Shaw. Image credited to the Pasadena Police Department; source copy via Wikipedia/Houston Chronicle.
Years later, convicted murderer Edward Harold Bell claimed he had killed several girls across Southeast Texas during the 1970s.
Bell referred to the victims as the “Eleven that went to Heaven.” His claims reportedly included two girls from Webster who disappeared after visiting Galveston in 1971.
Those details were believed to refer to Sharon and Rhonda.
Investigators familiar with Bell’s statements said portions of his accounts appeared to match information from several cases. However, Bell was never charged with killing Sharon or Rhonda.
Bell was serving a prison sentence for the 1978 murder of Larry Dickens when he died in 2019.
Families Were Left Without Definitive Answers
The conviction of Michael Self remained legally intact. Still, some investigators and members of the victims’ families came to believe Bell may have been responsible.
That leaves a difficult conflict at the center of the case.
One man was convicted based largely on a confession he said was forced. Another man later claimed responsibility but was never prosecuted in connection with the girls’ deaths.
No DNA evidence or weapon publicly connected Bell to the murders. His death ended any possibility that he-would face a trial or further questioning in court.
Remembering Rhonda and Sharon
Rhonda Renee Johnson, left, and Sharon Lynn Shaw disappeared after leaving Webster for a trip to Galveston on August 4, 1971. Public-domain image via Wikimedia Commons.
The competing accusations can easily overshadow the two young victims.
Rhonda and Sharon were teenage friends enjoying the final weeks of summer. Their families expected them to return home after a day at the beach.
Instead, August 4 became an anniversary marked by loss and unanswered questions.
As the 55th anniversary approaches, the most important part of this story remains the lives that were taken.
Rhonda Renee Johnson and Sharon Lynn Shaw should be remembered by their names—not simply as entries on a list of Texas cold cases.
Their families deserved clear answers then. They still deserve them today.
Related Texas Killing Fields Coverage
James Elmore Jr. booking photo. His trial is currently scheduled to begin Aug. 31, 2026, in Galveston County.
The questions surrounding Sharon and Rhonda are part of a much larger history of disappearances and deaths along the Interstate 45 corridor between Houston and Galveston.
The upcoming trial of James Elmore Jr. is also expected to renew attention on the Calder Road area known as the Texas Killing Fields.
Elmore is charged in connection with the death of Laura Miller and allegations involving the movement of human remains. His jury trial is currently scheduled to begin August 31 in Galveston County’s 122nd District Court.
This story is based on available court records and previously published reporting. Some allegations were never proven in court. Edward Harold Bell was never charged with the deaths of Rhonda Johnson or Sharon Shaw.
Many people visit Galveston to explore its history, beaches and landmarks. Travelers looking for a place to stay can compare Galveston hotels, prices and availability through Hotels.com before planning their trip.
I may earn a commission if you book through Hotels.com, at no additional cost to you.
Recommended True-Crime Reading
Readers interested in researching historic cases may find a Texas road atlas helpful for understanding the distance between Webster, Galveston, Clear Lake and other locations connected to the investigation.
A portable document organizer can also help keep court records, timelines, printed articles and handwritten notes arranged while researching a complicated cold case.
James Elmore Jr. booking photo. His trial is currently scheduled to begin Aug. 31, 2026, in Galveston County.
James Elmore Jr. Trial Moves Forward
Nearly four decades after several young women were found murdered and their bodies abandoned near Calder Road in Galveston County, the case against James Elmore Jr. continues moving toward trial.
For many victims’ families, the upcoming court proceedings represent another chance to finally see justice.
After checking the Galveston County court docket, I confirmed the case is still moving forward.
According to the current schedule:
Discovery Conference: August 10, 2026
Pretrial Conference: August 21, 2026
Jury Trial: August 31, 2026
The trial is scheduled in the 122nd District Court before Judge Jeth Jones.
If the schedule remains unchanged, I plan to attend the trial and provide updates from the courtroom.
Laura Miller’s Family Has Waited Decades for Answers
Tim Miller, founder of Texas EquuSearch, has assisted in hundreds of missing persons cases across Texas and the United States.
Laura Miller was last seen on September 10, 1984, after stopping at a convenience store in League City to use a pay phone. Her mother had dropped her off because the family’s phone had not yet been connected after they moved into the area.
Laura never returned home.
Memorial sign highlighting four victims whose cases have been linked to the same recovery site during the investigation into Clyde Hedrick and several unsolved homicides.
Nearly 17 months later, on February 2, 1986, her remains were discovered in a wooded area near Calder Road. During that same search, investigators also found the remains of Audrey Cook.
For both families, the upcoming trial comes after decades of unanswered questions.
In an earlier interview, Texas EquuSearch founder Tim Miller discussed Laura Miller’s disappearance, the years of searching, and why the case has remained so important to investigators and her family.
Watch: Tim Miller Discusses Laura Miller’s Disappearance
Charges Against James Elmore Jr.
James Elmore Jr. booking photo. He is scheduled to stand trial beginning Aug. 31, 2026, in Galveston County.
James Elmore Jr. remains jailed while awaiting trial.
According to jail records, he faces the following charges:
Manslaughter
Two counts of tampering with physical evidence involving a human corpse
Possession of visual material depicting sexual assault
Possession of child sexual abuse material
His total bond is listed at $4.5 million.
As with all criminal cases, these charges are allegations, and James Elmore Jr. is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Clyde Hedrick Died Before Additional Charges Could Be Filed
Clyde Hedrick was convicted in the murder of Ellen Beason. Investigators were preparing to charge him in additional cases before his death in March 2026.
The upcoming trial follows the death of Clyde Hedrick, who for years had been publicly linked to several Texas Killing Fields investigations.
Authorities were reportedly preparing additional charges against Hedrick. However, on March 21, 2026, Hedrick removed his breathing tube and died before those charges could be filed.
Hedrick was convicted only in the death of Ellen Beason. He served prison time for that case and was on parole when he died.
Trial Could Bring Long-Awaited Answers
Whether new evidence or testimony emerges during the trial remains to be seen.
However, for the families of Laura Miller, Audrey Cook, Donna Prudhomme, Heidi Fye, and others connected to the Calder Road investigations, the upcoming proceedings represent another opportunity to seek answers after nearly 40 years.
I’ll continue monitoring the Galveston County court docket and, if the trial remains on schedule, will be in the courtroom beginning August 31 to provide updates.
Whether you’re traveling to attend court proceedings or visiting Galveston Island, you can compare hotels throughout Galveston County before your trip.
As I continue covering cold cases and court proceedings, a reliable body camera is an important part of documenting interactions in the field. This is similar to the type of equipment many journalists and investigators use.
Amazon Affiliate Disclosure
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase through my links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Planning a trip can feel overwhelming. I recently planned my dream trip to Italy, and I found a few tools that made everything much easier. They also helped me save money and stay organized.
If you’re planning your next vacation, here are a few travel tips that worked well for me.
1. Use Google Flights to Find the Best Airfare
I used Google Flights to compare airfare and track prices before booking my Italy trip. It helped me find the best fare before purchasing my tickets.
Before booking any flight, I always start with Google Flights.
It compares prices from multiple airlines and travel websites in one place. One of my favorite features is the price tracking tool. You can turn on alerts and Google will email you if the fare goes up or drops before you book.
This helped me keep an eye on flights until I found the best price for my trip to Rome.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you book through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend services I personally use or believe provide value.
One of the biggest surprises while planning my trip was how easy it was to keep my hotel reservations organized with Hotels.com. I could compare prices, read verified guest reviews, and book accommodations that fit both my itinerary and budget.
If you’re planning a trip to Italy, you can browse hotel options here:
Instead of juggling confirmations from several companies, I could keep my hotel plans in one place while still booking attractions, airport transfers, and other travel experiences separately.
Having everything organized makes traveling much less stressful.
Planning a Vacation? Kathy Chrappa Can Help
If planning an international trip feels overwhelming, consider using a travel advisor.
I’ve worked with Kathy Chrappa at Dream Vacations, and she has more than 25 years of experience helping travelers find vacations that fit their budget and travel style. Whether you’re planning Europe, a cruise, or a tropical getaway, having someone help with the details can save time and reduce stress.
An RFID-blocking wallet can help protect your credit cards from electronic scanning and keeps your travel essentials organized in one place.
Crowded tourist areas can attract electronic pickpockets.
An RFID-blocking wallet or purse helps protect your credit cards and passport from unauthorized RFID scanning. It’s a small investment that can provide extra peace of mind while traveling.
A MagSafe portable charger kept my iPhone powered throughout the day for maps, boarding passes, photos, and navigation without searching for an outlet.
Your phone quickly becomes your camera, GPS, boarding pass, hotel key, and attraction ticket.
A MagSafe portable charger lets you recharge while walking around without carrying extra cables. It has become one of the travel items I never leave home without.
5. Book Popular Attractions Before You Leave
Many of Italy’s most popular attractions sell out weeks in advance.
For my trip, I booked:
Colosseum Arena Floor Experience
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
La Maddalena Archipelago Boat Tour
Rome Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
Booking early gave me more choices for dates and times, and it helped me build my itinerary before arriving in Italy.
Final Thoughts
A little planning goes a long way. Using Google Flights to track airfare, Hotels.com to organize reservations, and a few simple travel accessories can make your trip much smoother.
I’m excited to share photos, videos, and travel tips from Italy, so be sure to check back for updates.
For more travel stories and adventures, explore my other travel articles here.
Amazon Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy through my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
Paul Gayland Taylor Jr. pleaded guilty to murder in Brazoria County in 1995 and received a life sentence.
Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose
Paul Gayland Taylor Jr. filed a writ of habeas corpus in 2007 after the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles denied him release.
Taylor challenged his parole denial, not his conviction
The filing did not challenge his murder conviction.
Instead, Taylor argued that the parole board unfairly relied on his crime and past conduct. He claimed the board ignored his prison record, education and other accomplishments.
Taylor pleaded guilty to murder in Brazoria County in 1995. A judge sentenced him to life in prison.
Taylor said the filing was about parole
The writ form asked whether Taylor had previously challenged his conviction.
Taylor marked “no.”
He also wrote:
“Not challenging the conviction. This is a parole related issue.”
That statement is important. This filing did not claim that Taylor was innocent. It also did not ask the court to overturn his guilty plea.
Taylor focused his arguments on the parole process.
In his 2007 writ application, Paul Taylor wrote that he was not challenging his conviction and described the matter as a parole-related issue.
The writ listed his conviction and sentence
The application identified Taylor’s criminal case as Cause No. 27,636 in the 23rd Judicial District Court of Brazoria County.
The document listed:
Judgment date: May 30, 1995 Offense: Murder Plea: Guilty Sentence: Life Punishment assessed by: Judge
Taylor also stated that he did not have a jury trial. He indicated that he did not appeal the judgment.
Taylor’s writ application lists his 1995 guilty plea to murder and his life sentence.
Taylor had been eligible for parole since 1997
Taylor wrote that he had been eligible for parole since February 2, 1997.
According to his filing, the parole board denied him release again on January 12, 2007. The board then gave him a three-year setoff before his next review.
Taylor said the board had denied him parole for about 13 years, including the period between his eligibility date and his next review.
The filing quotes the board’s reason for denial. It referred to the violent nature of the offense, the use of a weapon and a threat to public safety.
The quoted language also stated that the offense showed brutality, violence or the selection of a vulnerable victim.
Taylor argued that these factors came from the crime itself. He said he could never change the past.
Taylor’s memorandum states that the parole board relied on the violent nature of the offense when it denied his release.
Taylor raised five arguments
1. The parole board abused its discretion
Taylor claimed the board denied parole for the same conduct that led to his conviction and sentence.
He argued that the board created an “impossible obstacle” because he could not change the crime.
Taylor also said the board failed to give enough weight to his prison accomplishments.
2. The parole process violated due process
Taylor argued that the board did not explain how it decided he remained a future threat.
He claimed the board should have told him what method it used to assess that risk.
Taylor suggested that he could have submitted more information if he had known what evidence the board wanted.
3. The process violated equal protection
Taylor claimed the board released other people with similar or worse criminal records.
He argued that the board treated him differently without a valid reason.
The filing does not include the names or full records of those other prisoners in the pages reviewed.
4. Repeated parole denials amounted to cruel punishment
Taylor argued that repeated denials violated the Eighth Amendment.
He claimed the board continued to deny him for the same unchangeable reasons.
He also accused the board of ignoring his conduct while incarcerated.
5. A Texas life sentence carried an expectation of parole
Taylor argued that Texas did not have a life-without-parole sentence for his case.
Therefore, he claimed that a life sentence carried an expectation of eventual release.
For the first four claims, Taylor asked for a new parole hearing.
However, under his fifth claim, he argued that parole should become mandatory.
These were Taylor’s legal arguments. The filing does not show that a court accepted them.
Taylor’s memorandum states that the parole board relied on the violent nature of the offense when it denied his release.
Taylor highlighted his prison record
Taylor wrote that he earned a bachelor’s degree from Sam Houston State University while incarcerated.
He also said he had never received a disciplinary infraction.
In addition, Taylor said he worked in a prison craft shop. He claimed that the work helped him support himself and assist his family.
However, the filing only reflects Taylor’s account. It does not independently verify every statement about his prison history.
What this document does not say
The writ does not claim that Taylor was innocent.
It does not challenge his guilty plea or murder conviction.
The filing also does not present new evidence about Rebecca “Becky” Beard’s disappearance or the location of her remains.
Instead, Taylor challenged the parole board’s review process.
Therefore, this document focuses on parole. It does not attempt to overturn the murder conviction.
Read the full writ and court decision
The complete 2007 filing appears below, along with the court document showing the outcome.
Taylor challenged the parole process, not his murder conviction. However, the court denied his request for relief
Court records and police files can contain hundreds of pages. A portable document scanner can make it easier to save, organize and review records while working away from home.
Screenshot from the dash camera video released by Brazoria County in response to a Texas Public Information Act request. The recording contains no audio. The requested body camera video remains pending while the Texas Attorney General reviews whether it may be withheld.
Texas Public Information Act Request Leads to Dash Camera Release While Body Camera Remains Under Review
The Brazoria County Criminal District Attorney’s Office released the dash camera recording in response to my Texas Public Information Act request. The responding deputy’s body camera recording remains under review by the Texas Attorney General.
Page one of the Brazoria County Criminal District Attorney’s Office response confirming my public information request, payment, and the release of the dash camera recording while the requested body camera recording remains under review by the Texas Attorney General.
By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose
Transparency matters. That is why I filed a Texas Public Information Act request after an encounter with a woman connected to the Rebecca Beard investigation.
The request resulted in sheriff’s reports, dispatch records, redacted documents, and dash camera video. However, one important record remains unavailable. The Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office has asked the Texas Attorney General to decide whether the responding deputy’s body camera can be withheld.
This article explains what happened, what the released records show, and why I continue to seek the body camera recording.
Why I Went to the Property
As an investigative reporter, I believe everyone deserves an opportunity to comment before publication.
I went to Cherie “Rio” Starr’s residence to request an interview about statements she has made regarding the Rebecca Beard investigation.
She declined to comment.
According to the incident report, Starr told deputies she was a protected witness and wanted to know how I obtained her personal information.
The report also states she believed someone had sent me to her property.
I Returned to My Jeep
After Starr declined to comment, I walked back to my Jeep because I intended to leave.
According to the sheriff’s report, I told deputies that Starr and Kenneth Cadenhead prevented me from leaving the property.
The dashcam video released by Brazoria County contains no audio. Therefore, it cannot capture the conversations that occurred during the encounter.
However, the video does show Starr standing near my driver’s side while Cadenhead remained behind my Jeep during part of the incident.
According to my recollection, both were asking me to identify my confidential source.
I declined.
Why I Would Not Reveal My Source
The incident report notes that I refused to identify my source.
That decision was intentional.
Protecting confidential sources is a long-standing practice in investigative journalism. Sources often provide information only because they trust reporters to keep their identities confidential.
My purpose that day was to request an interview. It was not to disclose who provided information for my reporting.
A Detail Not Included in the Report
One part of the encounter is not reflected in the written incident report.
According to my recollection, while standing near my driver’s side door, Starr told me she would agree to an interview “when this is all over.”
She also indicated that the Rebecca Beard investigation remained an active case that had never been closed.
Because the released dashcam has no audio, viewers cannot hear that conversation.
For that reason, I continue to seek release of the responding deputy’s body camera recording.
What the Public Records Show
My Texas Public Information Act request produced several records, including:
Sheriff’s incident reports Dispatch and CAD records Dashcam video Redacted documents
The only major record that has not been released is the deputy’s body camera.
The District Attorney’s Office has asked the Texas Attorney General to determine whether that recording may be withheld under the Texas Public Information Act.
Receiving a request for an Attorney General ruling does not automatically mean the recording will never be released. The Attorney General will determine whether any exceptions to disclosure apply under Texas law.
How I Obtained the Records
Many people ask how to request police records in Texas.
In my case, I submitted a Texas Public Information Act request to Brazoria County.
After receiving a cost estimate, I paid the required fee at the Brazoria County Treasurer’s Office inside the courthouse.
The courthouse is beautiful, although locating the correct office can be a little confusing for first-time visitors.
After payment was processed, I went to the District Attorney’s Office to pick up the responsive records.
Everyone I dealt with during the process was courteous and helpful.
I also received more records than I expected.
Part Two Is Coming Soon
In Part Two, I will explain the Texas Public Information Act process step by step.
I will also show:
How to submit an open records request Where to pay the required fees How to pick up responsive records Why some records are released immediately while others require a ruling from the Texas Attorney General
Understanding the process can help anyone request public records in Texas.
Paul Taylor’s former Clute residence, where investigators later focused much of the Rebecca Beard investigation as witness statements and the case timeline evolved over time.
Rebecca Beard Part 3: How Witness Statements Changed During the Investigation
By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose
As I continued reviewing the original investigative file in the Rebecca Beard case, one pattern became impossible to ignore.
The earliest reports tell a very different story than the theory prosecutors ultimately presented years later.
During the first weeks of the investigation, detectives documented witnesses who said they did not know Paul Taylor or had never heard Becky mention him. At the same time, investigators pursued reports that Becky was seen after leaving the Excalibur Club, including at a Surfside beach party and an after-party.
Months later, investigators had assembled a very different timeline.
The records show how that evolution occurred.
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Early Witnesses Did Not Connect Becky to Paul Taylor
A March 1986 police report documents early witness interviews in the Rebecca Beard investigation. Several witnesses told detectives they did not know Paul Taylor or had never heard Becky mention him, reflecting one of the investigation’s earliest lines of inquiry.
One of the strongest themes in the March 1986 reports is how often investigators documented witnesses saying they had no connection between Becky Beard and Paul Taylor.
Among those interviewed were:
Beaver Aplin, who investigators noted never mentioned Paul Taylor, and Taylor had never mentioned Becky.
Eric Timaeus, Becky’s friend, who said he did not know Paul Taylor and never recalled Becky mentioning his name.
Misty Wiley, who said she had never heard of Paul Taylor and Becky never mentioned him.
Linda Barnes (identified in some records as Linda Limke), who said she had never heard Becky mention Paul Taylor.
Mrs. Buchanan, who also said she did not know Taylor.
At this point in the investigation, detectives had not yet developed the theory that Paul Taylor was the last person with Becky.
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Several Witnesses Reported Becky Alive After Leaving Excalibur
The earliest reports also show investigators pursuing multiple leads suggesting Becky continued socializing after leaving the Excalibur Club in Freeport.
Paula’s Surfside Account
One witness, Paula, told investigators she saw Becky at a Surfside beach party during the morning hours after she disappeared.
That account suggested Becky may have left the club and traveled elsewhere.
Jack Hamilton’s Statement
An April 28, 1986 police report documents interviews with Jack Hamilton and dancer Mel Scroggins. Both described seeing Becky Beard after she left the Excalibur Club, adding to the early investigative timeline detectives were working to reconstruct.
On April 28, 1986, Jack Hamilton told investigators he saw Becky outside the Excalibur Club.
Hamilton said:
Becky appeared happy. She was not intoxicated. The two greeted each other and hugged. He saw an unidentified white male walk out beside Becky who appeared to be with her. He never saw Becky get into a vehicle.
Importantly, Hamilton did not identify the man as Paul Taylor.
Hamilton also told investigators he knew Matt Cone, a longtime friend.
Dancer Reported Seeing Becky at an After-Party
A March 13, 1986 police report documents dancer Mel Scroggins’ statement that he saw Becky Beard at the Excalibur Club and later at an after-party around 1:00 a.m. The report also notes Beaver Aplin contacted investigators about posting a reward.
Another witness, Mel Scroggins, also described seeing Becky after she left Excalibur.
Scroggins told investigators he saw Becky around 12:30 a.m. at Excalibur before performing his dance routine.
He then reported seeing Becky again around 1:00 a.m. at an after-party.
According to Scroggins, Becky was accompanied by:
a white male, approximately 5’11” to 6’0”, slim build, no glasses, associated with a possible silver or gold Chevrolet.
Again, the man was not identified as Paul Taylor.
Scroggins said he never saw Becky after that.
When viewed together, these reports show detectives were actively investigating the possibility that Becky continued on to other locations after leaving Excalibur.
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John Cone’s Statement Became a Turning Point
Police records show John Cone told investigators that Paul Taylor admitted Becky Beard died at his home. Cone also stated he personally entered the house, observed the mattress and carpet were missing, and reported those observations to Sheriff Joe King while offering a key to the residence.
Another major development came from John Cone.
Cone told investigators Paul Taylor admitted Becky died inside his Clute home after a gun discharged during an encounter.
However, Cone’s statement did not stop with the alleged confession.
He told investigators he personally:
entered Taylor’s home, observed the mattress missing, observed the carpet missing, reported those observations to Sheriff Joe King, and even offered the sheriff a key to the residence.
Those observations were based on what Cone said he personally witnessed, not simply what Taylor allegedly told him.
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Matt Cone Appears to Corroborate Parts of the Story
April 16, 1986 police records include statements from Tina and Excalibur Club manager Willie Garcia. The documents also reference Matt Cone, John Cone’s brother, whose name appears multiple times in the investigation as detectives continued interviewing witnesses and following leads.
The records also repeatedly reference Matt Cone.
John Cone told investigators he discussed the situation with his brother, Matt Cone, and Corky Parker before going to Taylor’s house.
Jack Hamilton also identified Matt Cone as someone he knew.
If Matt Cone independently observed the missing mattress and carpet, that would provide additional corroboration of John’s observations.
Whether Matt entered the home himself or relied on John’s account remains an important question raised by the records.
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Beaver Aplin Continued Contacting Investigators
Police records show Beaver Aplin remained in regular contact with investigators after Rebecca Beard disappeared. The reports document Aplin requesting case updates, asking about posting a reward, and continuing to communicate with detectives as the investigation progressed.
Another interesting pattern involves Beaver Aplin.
The investigative file documents that:
Beaver was interviewed during the early stages of the case. Investigators noted he did not connect Becky to Paul Taylor. He later left messages for investigators. Months later, he again contacted police requesting an update on Becky’s case.
Those records do not suggest wrongdoing.
However, they do show Beaver remained engaged with investigators long after Becky disappeared.
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The Investigation Evolved
As the investigation continued, the documentary record began shifting.
Later reports increasingly connected Becky to Paul Taylor.
Among them were statements from:
Willie Garcia, Kevin King, John Cone, and other witnesses who later appeared on the prosecution’s witness list.
That witness list outlined how prosecutors intended to build their case, including testimony that Becky left with Taylor, statements that Taylor admitted killing her, and witnesses describing evidence allegedly observed inside Taylor’s home.
That later theory differs considerably from many of the earliest reports documenting possible Surfside sightings, after-party sightings, and witnesses who initially said they did not know Paul Taylor.
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Questions That Remain
Reading these records chronologically reveals an investigation that changed significantly over time.
The documents show detectives initially pursued multiple leads, including reports that Becky was seen after leaving Excalibur and accounts from witnesses who did not connect her to Paul Taylor.
As additional interviews were conducted, investigators documented statements that increasingly focused on Taylor and ultimately formed the basis of the prosecution’s case.
The records do not fully explain how every conflicting witness account was evaluated before investigators settled on the final timeline presented in court.
Nearly four decades later, those documents continue to provide important insight into how the Rebecca Beard investigation developed—and why reviewing the original records remains essential.
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Read More in This Series
Part 1: Rebecca Beard: John Cone’s Confession and the Early Investigation
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Early police records reveal conflicting timelines in the Rebecca Beard investigation. This graphic compares witness statements, investigative documents, and Rebecca’s personal planner to examine how the investigation evolved during its first days. Reporting by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose.
Rebecca Beard Part 2: Early Police Reports Show How the Investigation Evolved
Rebecca Beard disappeared during the early morning hours of March 2, 1986, after spending the previous evening at the Excalibur Club in Freeport, Texas. During the first days of the investigation, detectives worked to reconstruct her final hours by interviewing friends, coworkers, club patrons, and anyone who may have seen her before she vanished.
The earliest police reports provide a snapshot of where the investigation began. At that stage, detectives had not narrowed their focus to one individual. Instead, they documented numerous interviews, followed multiple leads, and worked to establish Rebecca’s last known movements.
Nearly four decades later, those reports remain important because they show how the investigation developed over time.
Detectives Worked to Build Rebecca Beard’s Timeline
The former Excalibur Club in Freeport, Texas, as it appears today. Investigators interviewed witnesses who were at the nightclub as they worked to reconstruct Rebecca Beard’s movements during the early days of the 1986 investigation.
One of the first priorities involved determining Rebecca’s movements after she left the Excalibur Club.
Investigators interviewed witnesses who had been with Rebecca that evening or reported seeing her during the early morning hours. Detectives compared those statements in an effort to establish a reliable timeline.
The reports also reference a gold Chevrolet Camaro Z-28. Detectives attempted to identify the vehicle, determine who owned it, and learn whether it played a role in Rebecca’s disappearance.
Those early efforts demonstrate how investigators attempted to preserve every possible lead.
Arch “Beaver” Aplin Was Among the First Witnesses Interviewed
Arch “Beaver” Aplin III at the Buc-ee’s grand opening in Goodyear, Arizona. This image was captured by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose. Aplin was interviewed by investigators on March 5, 1986, during the early stages of the Rebecca Beard investigation.
After Rebecca Beard disappeared, investigators interviewed Arch “Beaver” Aplin on March 5, 1986.
According to the police report, Aplin told detectives the last time he saw Rebecca was the weekend of February 14, when they had dinner together in Galveston. He also said he had called her several times afterward but never reached her.
At that point in the investigation, detectives documented Aplin’s account as one of many witness statements they were using to reconstruct Rebecca’s final movements.
Later Records Raised New Timeline Questions
This investigative synopsis includes a summary of Tina’s witness statement. According to the document, Tina reported seeing Kevin King leave the Excalibur Club with Rebecca Beard before he returned without her. The synopsis also lists Arch “Beaver” Aplin, Bill Russell, and Jack Hamilton as being at the club that night, raising additional questions about the investigation’s timeline.
This is where the investigation becomes more complicated.
A later investigative synopsis documents witness Tina’s account of the night Rebecca disappeared.
According to that synopsis, Tina told investigators Kevin King walked out of the Excalibur Club with Rebecca about 30 minutes before closing and returned approximately two minutes later without her.
The same synopsis also lists Kevin King, Bill Russell, Arch “Beaver” Aplin and Jack Hamilton as being at Excalibur that night.
When compared with Aplin’s March 5 statement that he had not seen Rebecca since February 14, the two records appear to present different timelines.
The investigative records reviewed for this series do not explain how detectives reconciled those accounts.
Arch “Beaver” Aplin Remained in Contact With Investigators
This graphic highlights original police records documenting that Arch “Beaver” Aplin remained in contact with investigators after Rebecca Beard disappeared. The records show detectives continued communicating with Aplin as they worked to reconstruct Rebecca’s final known movements during the 1986 investigation.
The early investigative records also document repeated contact between detectives and Arch “Beaver” Aplin, who had been at the Excalibur Club around the time Rebecca Beard disappeared.
Rather than disappearing from the investigation after giving an initial statement, the reports show Aplin continued communicating with law enforcement in the days and weeks that followed.
According to the investigative notes, Aplin contacted detectives seeking updates on the investigation and asked whether he could publicly offer a $10,000 reward for information leading to Rebecca’s whereabouts.
The records indicate detectives discussed the proposed reward with Aplin while continuing to investigate numerous leads.
Those contacts are significant because they demonstrate that investigators maintained communication with Aplin throughout the early stages of the case. The reports do not indicate that detectives viewed him as someone who had withdrawn from the investigation. Instead, the documented contacts suggest he remained interested in learning whether investigators had developed new information.
The investigative files also reflect that detectives continued interviewing numerous witnesses during this same period, including Rebecca’s friends, coworkers, and individuals believed to have seen her during the weekend she disappeared.
Another Witness Reported Seeing Rebecca Beard at a Surfside Beach Party
This graphic highlights Paula’s statement documented in the original police investigation. According to the police report, Paula told investigators she saw Rebecca Beard at a Surfside beach party on March 2, 1986. Her account added another reported timeline for detectives to evaluate as they worked to reconstruct Rebecca’s final known movements.
The original police investigation also documented a statement from another witness, Paula, who told investigators she saw Rebecca Beard at a Surfside beach party on the morning of March 2, 1986.
According to the police report, Paula said she recognized Becky and saw her with two males at the gathering. If her recollection was accurate, it could place Rebecca alive after the time she was believed to have left Excalibur, adding another timeline investigators had to evaluate.
Paula’s account does not prove what happened to Rebecca. However, it is one of several witness statements included in the original case file. When viewed alongside other reported sightings and witness interviews, it illustrates the challenges investigators faced while trying to reconstruct Rebecca’s final known movements.
More than 40 years later, these differing witness accounts continue to raise questions about Rebecca Beard’s disappearance and whether every lead documented in the original investigation was fully reconciled.
The Investigation Was Still Taking Shape
Reading the reports chronologically shows detectives working through dozens of leads while trying to establish Rebecca’s final movements.
Several witnesses interviewed in March 1986 told investigators they did not know Paul Taylor or had never heard Rebecca mention his name. At the same time, detectives continued following information involving several other individuals connected to the case.
These reports should be viewed as a snapshot of the investigation during its earliest weeks. Criminal investigations often evolve as detectives conduct additional interviews, gather new evidence, and revisit earlier leads.
The progression of the Rebecca Beard investigation reflects that process.
Coming in Part 3
The earliest police reports reveal how detectives began piecing together Rebecca Beard’s final known movements through witness interviews, follow-up leads, and investigative records. As the investigation continued, additional witness statements and investigative summaries documented new information and raised further questions.
In Part 3, I examine those later records, including additional witness statements, documented timeline discrepancies, and what they may reveal about the Rebecca Beard investigation nearly four decades later.
Every long-term investigation benefits from careful note-taking. A quality investigator’s notebook or case journal provides a simple way to organize timelines, document interviews, and track developing leads while reviewing historical records.
The former Clute home where Paul Taylor lived became a focus of later investigative records after John Cone reported that Taylor allegedly confessed to killing Rebecca Beard. The article examines why available records do not document an immediate crime scene search or forensic processing of the property following that report.
Rebecca Beard Case: Why Wasn’t Paul Taylor’s Home Investigated After John Cone’s Report?
Reviewed by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose
Police records raise new questions
Nearly 40 years after Rebecca “Becky” Beard disappeared, police records raise a question that remains unanswered.
If Sheriff Joe King received details of an alleged confession from John Cone shortly after Becky vanished, why don’t the records reviewed by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose document an immediate search or forensic examination of Paul Taylor’s home?
The question stands out because later investigative summaries describe a series of events that, if accurate, pointed investigators toward Taylor’s residence within days of Becky’s disappearance.
John Cone said Taylor admitted killing Becky
This investigative synopsis states that John Cone reported an alleged confession by Paul Taylor to Sheriff Joe King shortly after Rebecca Beard disappeared. According to the document, Cone asked King to keep both the information and his identity confidential. The synopsis also states King later advised Freeport Police that Taylor should be investigated, raising questions about what investigative steps followed.
According to a later investigative synopsis, John Cone told investigators that Paul Taylor admitted Becky died inside his Clute home.
Cone’s statement says Taylor claimed he picked Becky up after she left a club, took her to his residence, and that she died after a gun discharged during a struggle.
Taylor allegedly told Cone he cleaned the residence, removed the bed and carpet because they contained blood, and discarded them in dumpsters.
Cone also said he entered Taylor’s home himself and noticed the bed and carpet were gone.
According to the records, Cone then contacted Brazoria County Sheriff Joe King and reported what Taylor allegedly told him.
Cone reportedly offered Sheriff Joe King a key
This investigative document summarizes John Cone’s account, including his claim that Paul Taylor allegedly confessed to killing Rebecca Beard. According to the document, Cone said he entered Taylor’s home, noticed the bed and carpet were missing, and later offered Sheriff Joe King a key to the residence. The document raises questions about what investigative steps followed after that information reached law enforcement.
One detail stands out in Cone’s statement.
Cone said he offered Sheriff Joe King a key to Taylor’s residence.
He also asked the sheriff to keep both the conversation and his identity confidential.
The investigative synopsis later states that King agreed to keep the information confidential.
According to that same synopsis, Sheriff King informed Freeport Police Chief Charles Bankston on March 14, 1986, that Paul Taylor needed to be investigated but did not relate the details Cone had provided.
Taylor was interviewed that day. The synopsis states investigators learned only that Taylor knew Becky.
Where is the documented crime scene investigation?
The records reviewed by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose do not document that investigators immediately searched Paul Taylor’s residence or processed it as a possible crime scene.
The records also do not document officers collecting physical evidence, photographing the interior, looking for blood evidence, seizing the reportedly missing bed or carpet, or tracing the dumpsters where Taylor allegedly said he discarded evidence.
Those questions remain central to understanding the early investigation. The records reviewed for this report do not document that investigators immediately completed those investigative steps after John Cone reported what Taylor allegedly told him.
Those questions remain central to understanding the early investigation. The records reviewed for this report do not document that investigators immediately completed those investigative steps after John Cone reported what Taylor allegedly told him.
Another report raised similar concerns
The records contain another development one month later.
An April 16, 1986 report states the manager of Excaliber Club told investigators about another conversation involving Taylor.
According to the report, another witness claimed Taylor said he picked up a woman from the club, took her home, shot her, buried her body, cut up the mattress and discarded it in dumpsters.
The same report states Matt Cone checked Taylor’s residence and found the bed no longer had a mattress. Cotton stuffing reportedly remained on the floor.
Even then, the records reviewed by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose do not document that officers immediately processed the residence as a homicide scene.
Another inconsistency emerges
These records compare early police reports, a later investigative summary, and Rebecca Beard’s personal planner. One report states Beaver (Arch) Aplin last saw Rebecca on February 14, while a later investigative summary lists him among witnesses who reportedly saw her at Excalibur on the night she disappeared. The differing timelines raise questions about how investigators reconciled those statements during the investigation.
While reviewing the early investigation, another issue surfaced.
Police reports appear to contain conflicting information about Beaver (Arch) Aplin’s timeline.
One report says Aplin told investigators he had not seen Becky since February 14, 1986.
A later investigative report identifies Aplin as one of several people reportedly present at Excaliber on the night Becky disappeared.
That apparent inconsistency raises another question.
Did investigators ever reconcile those differing accounts?
That question will be examined in Part 2 of this series.
Questions that remain
The records reviewed for this article leave several unanswered questions:
Why wasn’t Taylor’s residence immediately documented as a potential crime scene after John Cone reported an alleged confession? Did Sheriff Joe King ever use the key Cone reportedly offered? Were investigators ever able to locate the missing bed, carpet or mattress? If those items were never recovered, how much potential evidence may have been lost?
Nearly four decades later, those questions remain central to understanding the early investigation into Rebecca Beard’s disappearance.
Keep detailed notes while following complex investigations. A structured notebook makes it easier to compare timelines, witness statements and evidence.
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Thumbnail for my investigation into why I tracked down Rebecca Beard witness Cherie “Rio” Starr and the questions her account raises about one of Brazoria County’s longest-running cold cases.
When I interviewed Rebecca Beard’s sister, Carol Mize, I expected to learn more about the ongoing search for Becky’s remains and the questions that still surround the case.
Paul Taylor Jr. pleaded guilty to Rebecca Beard’s murder in 1995. However, Becky’s body has never been found.
A photograph of Rebecca Beard featured alongside new details shared by her sister, Carol Mize, during an interview about the investigation and the questions that continue to surround Becky’s disappearance.
Instead of discussing only the search, Carol shared details from a witness deposition that stopped me in my tracks.
The witness, Cherie “Rio” Starr, described two shooters, a duck hunting box, and an alleged effort to conceal Becky’s remains.
Some of those claims appeared to overlap with information that had been discussed publicly over the years. Other claims seemed extraordinary.
I did not know what to believe.
As a journalist, I knew I had to ask the witness my own questions.
Watch Carol Mize’s chilling interview about the alleged duck box.
Why I Decided to Find Cherie Starr
One question stayed with me.
If someone witnessed what Starr later described in her deposition, why wait decades to report it?
I also wanted to know whether investigators could verify any part of her account.
Rebecca’s family believed her allegations deserved to be investigated. I wanted to hear directly from the person making those claims.
That is what journalists do.
We ask questions.
Why I Waited to Tell This Story
When I knocked on Starr’s door, her identity had not been made public.
Because of that, I chose not to report her name or write about what happened that day.
I believed that was the fair and responsible decision.
Since then, Rebecca’s family has publicly discussed Starr. Brazoria County District Attorney Tom Selleck told the family that investigators do not currently consider her a credible witness.
That announcement could affect future investigative steps, including whether authorities continue searching locations connected to Starr’s allegations.
Now readers deserve to understand why I went looking for her in the first place.
What Carol Mize Told Me
Carol described allegations that were difficult to forget.
According to Carol, Starr claimed Becky was shot by two different people using two different guns.
Carol also said Starr described a duck hunting box and an alleged attempt to move and hide Becky’s remains.
The allegations were graphic.
If true, they could have changed the direction of the investigation.
They also raised obvious questions.
Why did no one hear this story for decades?
Why had the witness waited so long to come forward?
Those were the questions I wanted to ask.
Knocking on Doors Is Part of Journalism
During more than 30 years as a reporter, I have knocked on hundreds of doors.
Sometimes people answer questions.
Sometimes they decline.
Sometimes they close the door.
That is part of investigative journalism.
I introduced myself and asked Cherie Starr if she would answer a few questions about the Rebecca Beard case.
She told me she had no comment.
I thanked her and walked back to my Jeep.
What Happened When I Knocked on Cherie Starr’s Door
After knocking on Rebecca Beard witness Cherie “Rio” Starr’s door, I was issued a criminal trespass warning. I later requested the responding deputies’ body camera video through a public records request so readers can see what happened for themselves.
As I prepared to leave, Cherie Starr ran outside with another man.
They demanded to know who had given me her name.
I told them I never reveal confidential sources. Protecting sources is part of my job.
During the encounter, Starr said she was calling the district attorney, investigator Matt Wingo, and former DA investigator John Blankenship.
However, only local law enforcement officers responded to the scene.
According to my recollection, Starr then stood behind my Jeep while continuing to question me.
I did not believe I could safely back up while someone stood behind my vehicle.
I stayed where I was until deputies arrived.
They investigated the situation for about two hours.
Before I left, deputies issued me a criminal trespass warning and told me not to return to the property.
Why I Requested the Body Camera Video
I do not expect readers to rely only on my account.
That is why I requested the deputies’ body camera footage through the Texas Public Information Act.
As of today, I am still waiting for those records.
When I receive the footage, I will publish it so readers can watch the encounter and reach their own conclusions.
Transparency matters.
Why This Story Matters
Today, investigators have told the family they do not consider Starr a credible witness.
That does not change why I knocked on her door.
At the time, Rebecca’s family believed her allegations were important enough to investigate. I believed they were important enough to question.
I was not trying to prove Cherie Starr right.
I was not trying to prove her wrong.
I wanted answers.
That is my job.
Investigative journalism means asking difficult questions, even when those questions make people uncomfortable.
Whether readers agree with my reporting or not, I believe they deserve to understand why I knocked on Cherie “Rio” Starr’s door.
If you enjoy my investigative reporting, please consider checking out the books and gear I recommend for journalists and true crime readers.
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