Category Archives: Texas Cold Cases

Breaking News, Investigations, Rebecca Beard, Texas Cold Cases, True Crime

Inside Paul Taylor Jr.’s Prison Letters About the Rebecca Beard Investigation

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Newly obtained prison messages from Paul Taylor Jr. discuss the Rebecca Beard investigation, prison life and his perspective decades after the case.

Nearly four decades after Rebecca Beard disappeared, new prison messages from convicted killer Paul Taylor Jr. are offering another glimpse into how he views the investigation today.

The messages, shared with Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose by a longtime correspondent who asked to remain anonymous, cover much more than the Rebecca Beard case. Taylor discusses prison life, his health, his faith, investigators, and why he believes renewed attention is being focused on his case.

While many of his statements reflect his personal opinions and allegations, they provide insight into his current mindset as interest in the Rebecca Beard investigation continues.

Taylor questions renewed interest in the Rebecca Beard case

In several messages, Taylor repeatedly asks why people are suddenly interested in his case after so many years.

He questions why the victim’s family has continued speaking publicly and wonders what new information investigators may have uncovered.

Taylor also asks whether new evidence has surfaced and repeatedly requests updates from outside prison.

His questions come as the Rebecca Beard investigation has received renewed attention following exclusive interviews, court records, and additional reporting into the 1986 disappearance.

Paul Taylor Jr. comments on investigators

Throughout the messages, Taylor criticizes investigators and the criminal justice system.

He claims authorities mishandled evidence and writes that people should question official accounts of the investigation.

These statements represent Taylor’s personal opinions and have not been independently verified.

Despite his criticism, Taylor continues asking for information about developments in the case.

Faith remains a central theme

Religion appears throughout nearly every message.

Taylor writes about reading the Bible each morning, praying daily, and believing God has guided him throughout his years in prison.

He frequently ends his messages with blessings and encourages others to pray.

The repeated references suggest his Christian faith continues to play a significant role in his daily life behind bars.

Life inside a Texas prison

The letters also describe Taylor’s daily routine inside prison.

He discusses prison conditions, medical treatment following the removal of basal cell carcinoma, communication through the Securus messaging system, and the challenges of staying connected with the outside world.

Taylor says receiving letters helps him remain informed about events beyond prison walls.

Taylor notices new reporting

One of the more interesting portions of the correspondence comes when Taylor references recent reporting.

He asks whether Tammy Rose is writing articles and later questions why her name briefly appeared in his contact list before disappearing.

The messages suggest Taylor is aware that new reporting and renewed public interest continue surrounding the Rebecca Beard investigation.

Investigation continues

Rebecca Beard disappeared in 1986 and her body has never been found.

Although Paul Taylor Jr. pleaded guilty in connection with her death, questions remain about where Rebecca’s remains may be located.

Investigators have conducted multiple searches over the years, while Rebecca’s family continues asking authorities to pursue additional leads.

The newly shared prison messages do not establish new evidence in the case. Instead, they provide additional insight into Taylor’s thoughts as the investigation continues decades later.

Editor’s Note: The prison messages contain Taylor’s personal opinions and allegations regarding investigators and the criminal justice system. Those statements have not been independently verified and are presented to accurately reflect the contents of the correspondence.

Recommended Reading

If you’re interested in the Rebecca Beard investigation and other Texas cold cases, these books provide additional background and context. Purchasing through the links below helps support my independent reporting at no additional cost to you.

Recommended Reading: Rebecca Beard & Texas True Crime

The Killing Fields

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Deliver Us by Kathryn Casey

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Let’s Kill Mom: Four Texas Teens and a Horrifying Murder

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Breaking News, Investigations, Rebecca Beard, Texas Cold Cases, True Crime

Rebecca Beard Investigation: New Documents and Paul Taylor Jr.’s Interview Raise Unanswered Questions

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Rebecca Beard investigation thumbnail showing Linda Barnes, Paul Taylor Jr. and police evidence documents reviewed by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose.

Rebecca Beard Investigation: New Documents and Paul Taylor Jr.’s Interview Raise Unanswered Questions

Nearly 40 years after 22-year-old Rebecca “Becky” Beard disappeared after leaving a Freeport nightclub with Paul Taylor Jr., questions about the case remain.

Paul Taylor Jr. later pleaded guilty, but Becky’s body has never been officially recovered.

Now, Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose has reviewed court records, police photographs and a recorded interview between Taylor and Becky’s mother, Linda Barnes. Together, those records raise new questions about the evidence, the murder weapon and other details of the Rebecca Beard investigation.

Signed promotional photo of Rebecca “Becky” Beard inscribed, “To John, Love Always, Becky, 1985.”
A signed 1985 promotional photograph of Rebecca “Becky” Beard addressed “To John.” The image is among personal items reviewed during Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose’s ongoing Rebecca Beard investigation.

Linda Barnes Refused to Let the Case Go Cold

Rebecca disappeared after leaving the Excalibur nightclub with Paul Taylor Jr. in March 1986.

For years, Becky’s mother, Linda Barnes, refused to give up. She searched for answers, gathered records and pushed investigators to keep working the case.

Her persistence paid off. A Brazoria County grand jury indicted Paul Taylor Jr. in 1994—eight years after Becky’s disappearance.

Taylor later pleaded guilty, but Becky’s body has never been officially recovered.

Taylor Describes the Night Becky Disappeared

In a recorded interview with Linda Barnes, Taylor claimed Becky voluntarily left the nightclub with him and went to his home.

He said they argued after he failed to obtain cocaine.

Taylor claimed he tried to scare Becky with a firearm before shooting her.

He told Barnes he wrapped Becky in orange sheets secured with duct tape before disposing of her body.

He also claimed he threw the weapon into a bayou. However, a Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office evidence sheet reviewed by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose lists a Remington Model 1100 shotgun and a brown gun case as evidence in the case.

Because Taylor described the firearm only as “the weapon” during the interview, the apparent difference between his account and the evidence sheet raises additional questions.

A Shotgun Appears on the Evidence List

A confidential pre-sentence investigation filed before Paul Taylor Jr.’s sentencing. The document was reviewed by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose as part of the ongoing Rebecca Beard investigation.
Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office evidence sheet listing a Remington Model 1100 shotgun in the Rebecca Beard investigation.
Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office evidence sheet listing a Remington Model 1100 shotgun in the Rebecca Beard investigation.
Handwritten court notes from Paul Taylor Jr.’s prosecution appear to reference additional time to identify possible remains in the Rebecca Beard investigation.

One document reviewed by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose is a Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office evidence sheet.

Among the listed evidence is a Remington Model 1100 shotgun and a brown gun case.

During his interview with Barnes, Taylor never identified the firearm by type. Instead, he repeatedly referred only to “the weapon.”

The records reviewed do not explain when the shotgun was recovered, where it was recovered or whether it was ultimately identified as the murder weapon.

Police Photographs Show Two Holes in the Bedroom Wall

Police crime scene photograph showing two holes in a bedroom wall inside Paul Taylor Jr.’s Clute home during the Rebecca Beard investigation.
A police crime scene photograph documents two holes in a bedroom wall inside Paul Taylor Jr.’s home. During his recorded interview with Linda Barnes, Taylor described firing a single fatal shot. The records reviewed by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose do not explain the presence of the second hole.

Crime scene photographs reviewed by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose document two holes in a bedroom wall inside Taylor’s home.

During the interview, Taylor described firing a single fatal shot.

The available records reviewed do not explain whether investigators determined how the two holes were created or whether either hole was connected to the homicide.

The records also do not explain whether ballistic testing linked the recovered shotgun to the wall damage.

The Tow Truck Driver Taylor Could Not Remember

One of the most revealing exchanges involves a tow truck driver.

Barnes confronted Taylor with information that a tow truck operator reportedly pulled his vehicle from a ditch after Becky’s disappearance.

Taylor repeatedly responded that he did not remember the incident.

Barnes described details including a neighbor who reportedly witnessed the vehicle in the ditch and the driver’s recollection of the call.

The conversation highlights a pattern throughout the interview. Taylor remembered specific details such as orange sheets, duct tape and burying Becky, yet repeatedly claimed he could not remember other significant events from that same period.

Court Notes Reference Possible Remains

Handwritten court notes reviewed by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose appear to show prosecutors requested additional time to determine whether recovered remains belonged to Rebecca Beard.

The handwriting is difficult to read in places, but the notes appear to reference delaying proceedings while investigators sought positive identification of possible remains.

The records reviewed do not explain what became of those reported remains or whether they were ultimately determined to belong to someone else.

A Confidential Court Record

Confidential pre-sentence investigation file from the Paul Taylor Jr. case reviewed during Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose’s Rebecca Beard investigation.
A confidential pre-sentence investigation file prepared before Paul Taylor Jr.‘s sentencing. The court record was reviewed by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose as part of the ongoing Rebecca Beard investigation and provides additional context to the case decades after Becky’s disappearance.

Also among the records is a pre-sentence investigation stamped:

“Confidential Judicial Document — Not Open to Public Inspection.”

The document was prepared before Taylor’s sentencing and demonstrates that confidential records existed during the criminal proceedings.

Questions That Still Remain

The records reviewed by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose answer some questions but leave many others unresolved.

Among them:

When was the Remington Model 1100 shotgun recovered?
Was it ever identified as the murder weapon?
Were the two holes in the bedroom wall forensically examined?
What became of the possible remains referenced in court notes?
Why do some details in Taylor’s interview differ from other investigative records?

Nearly four decades after Rebecca Beard disappeared, Linda Barnes’ determination continues to inspire efforts to better understand what happened to her daughter.

Editor’s Note

This report is based on court records, law enforcement documents, police photographs and a recorded interview reviewed by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose. Where records are incomplete or unclear, this article presents unanswered questions rather than conclusions.

Related Rebecca Beard Coverage

Read Part One: 

Read Part Two: 

More Rebecca Beard coverage:
https://www.chopperrose.com/tag/rebecca-beard/

Recommended 

True Crime Books

If you’re interested in cold cases, unsolved mysteries, and investigative reporting, these books provide insight into how complex cases are investigated and solved

 I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara
A bestselling investigation into the Golden State Killer case.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Chopper Rose earns from qualifying purchases. If you purchase through the links below, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions help support independent investigative journalism and cold case reporting.

Breaking News, Life Stories on Film, Rebecca Beard, Texas Cold Cases, True Crime

Exclusive: My Effort to Reach Paul Taylor Jr. in the Rebecca Beard Case

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Paul Taylor Jr. booking photo taken during the investigation into the Rebecca Beard case.
Paul Taylor Jr. during the investigation into the 1986 disappearance and death of Rebecca Beard.

For nearly 40 years, the Rebecca Beard case has been filled with unanswered questions.

As I’ve investigated the case, I’ve interviewed Rebecca’s daughter, Brittany Pipkin. I’ve also interviewed family members, reviewed court records, obtained police reports, and spoken with others connected to the investigation. Throughout the process, I kept one goal in mind. I wanted to hear directly from Paul Taylor Jr.

Taylor pleaded guilty in connection with Rebecca Beard’s death. However, no trial ever took place. Investigators have never recovered Rebecca’s remains. Many questions still remain.

I believed it was important to give him the opportunity to tell his side of the story.

My First Attempt

My first step was sending Paul Taylor Jr. a message through the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s eMessaging system at the Alfred D. Hughes Unit, where he is currently incarcerated.

In that message, I introduced myself as an independent investigative journalist researching the Rebecca Beard case. I explained that I wanted to hear his perspective and asked whether he would be willing to discuss anything he believed had been misunderstood over the years.

Screenshot of Tammy Rose’s message sent through the Texas Department of Criminal Justice eMessaging system requesting an interview with Paul Taylor Jr. about the Rebecca Beard case.
One of several attempts I made to contact Paul Taylor Jr. while seeking an interview about the Rebecca Beard case. Communication proved difficult during the reporting process.

Hitting Roadblocks

Reaching Paul wasn’t as simple as sending one message.

I also attempted to contact him by mail, but my correspondence repeatedly failed to reach him. Despite multiple attempts, I wasn’t able to establish communication.

Like many investigations, this became another reminder that reporting often involves persistence, patience, and countless dead ends before making progress.

Screenshot of a Penmate notification indicating Tammy Rose’s letter to Paul Taylor Jr. could not be processed because required delivery information was missing.
One of several challenges I encountered while trying to contact Paul Taylor Jr. My initial letter could not be processed because additional delivery information was required.

A Breakthrough

After months of trying, a trusted friend who has asked to remain anonymous was able to establish communication with Paul Taylor Jr. and let him know I was hoping to interview him.

That effort led to something I had been working toward for months—my first direct response from Paul Taylor Jr.

In his message, Paul greeted me warmly, shared a few thoughts about life, and encouraged me to continue writing to him.

Although he did not discuss the Rebecca Beard case in that first message, it marked the beginning of direct communication after months of unsuccessful attempts.

Continuing the Conversation

I’m continuing to work toward an exclusive interview with Paul Taylor Jr.

Through subsequent communication facilitated by my anonymous source, Paul indicated that he had stopped speaking publicly for a period because of pressure from detectives. That statement reflects Paul’s account and has not been independently verified.

Whether an interview ultimately takes place remains to be seen, but I believe every person connected to this decades-old case deserves the opportunity to be heard.

For me, investigative journalism isn’t about reaching conclusions before asking questions. It’s about documenting the facts, giving people the opportunity to respond, and continuing to pursue answers—even when the process takes months.

If I am able to conduct an interview with Paul Taylor Jr., I’ll share it here on http://ChopperRose.com and on my YouTube channel.

What Would You Ask?

If an interview with Paul Taylor Jr. takes place, what question would you want answered?

Leave your question in the comments below.

Read my exclusive interview with Rebecca Beard’s daughter Brittany Pipkin

 Read Part 2: No Body, No Weapon, Sealed Documents

Interested in true  crime and cold cases? 

Crime& Justice

Readers who follow the Rebecca Beard investigation may also be interested in these books on criminal investigations, missing persons cases, and unsolved mysteries:

I’ll Be Gone in the Dark

American Predator

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Breaking News, Investigations, Life Stories on Film, Rebecca Beard, Texas Cold Cases, True Crime

Exclusive: Rebecca Beard Family Wants Answers From Key Witnesses Named In Police Reports

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Brittany Pipkin poses in a police uniform during her law enforcement career. Pipkin, the daughter of Rebecca Beard, later used her investigative training to review records related to her mother’s unsolved murder case.
Rebecca Beard’s daughter, Brittany Pipkin, became a police officer and is now using those investigative skills in her search for answers about her mother’s 1986 murder. Photo courtesy of Brittany Pipkin.

Why Brittany Pipkin Questions the Original Investigation

Becky Beard’s 1986 planner with handwritten notes and calendar entries, reviewed by her daughter Brittany Pipkin during her search for answers in the decades-old case.
Becky Beard’s personal planner from 1986 remains an important piece of family history. Her daughter, Brittany Pipkin, has carefully reviewed the planner and other records while searching for answers about her mother’s disappearance and presumed murder.

BEAUMONT, Texas — More than four decades after Rebecca Beard disappeared and was later presumed murdered, her family says they are still searching for answers.

After reviewing decades of police reports, Rebecca’s daughter, Brittany Pipkin, believes there are questions that remain unanswered about several people whose names appear throughout the investigation.

Among them are businessman Arch Aplin and John Cohn.

Watch the Full Video Report

Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose sat down with Brittany Pipkin to discuss why she believes additional questions should be asked about individuals named in the original investigation.

Questions About Arch Aplin

Redacted police report pages reviewed by Rebecca Beard’s family, with highlighted sections referencing individuals connected to the investigation.
Redacted police report pages reviewed by Rebecca Beard’s family, with highlighted sections referencing individuals connected to the investigation.

According to police reports reviewed by the family, Arch Aplin’s name appears numerous times throughout the investigation.

Pipkin says she first became aware of Aplin while reviewing records connected to her mother’s case.

“When I was younger, I was a huge fan because I saw his name in all the police reports,” Pipkin said.

According to Pipkin, reports indicate Aplin had contact with Rebecca Beard before her disappearance and later communicated frequently with investigators.

Police records also reference reward money being offered during the investigation.

“He was contacting detectives almost daily,” Pipkin said. “He’s offering rewards.”

Despite that involvement, Pipkin says she has never had an opportunity to speak with Aplin directly.

“I’ve sent him a few emails,” she said. “He’s never reached out to talk to us.”

Pipkin says she would like the opportunity to ask questions about Rebecca’s final days and what information he may remember from that time period.

“I would love to ask him if he knows more than what was told to investigators,” she said.

Conflicting Accounts Raise Questions

Brittany Pipkin points to what she believes are inconsistencies within the case records. One document appears to list Arch Aplin as the last person known to have seen Becky Beard on February 14, 1986, while another references a witness statement involving Paul Taylor at the Excalibur Club around the time of her disappearance. Pipkin says the records raise questions she believes deserve further examination.

Questions Surrounding John Cohn

Police report excerpt referencing investigators contacting John Cone regarding information in the Rebecca Beard homicide investigation.
A police report indicates John Cone requested to speak with his attorney before providing a statement to investigators.
Signed photograph of Rebecca Beard with handwritten inscription provided by the Beard family.
A signed photograph of Rebecca Beard provided by her family. Family members believe the inscription may be connected to John Cohn.

Pipkin also wants to speak with John Cohn, whose name appears in investigative records.

According to police reports, Cohn reportedly contacted then-Brazoria County Sheriff E.J. “Joe” King shortly after Rebecca’s murder.

The reports indicate Cohn allegedly told authorities that his friend and co-owner of a home on Third Street in Clute was responsible for Rebecca’s death.

That individual, Paul Taylor Jr., would not be charged until approximately nine years later.

Taylor eventually pleaded guilty in connection with the case.

For Pipkin, the timeline raises questions.

“What did people know, and when did they know it?” she asked.

She believes additional information may still exist regarding what occurred in the days immediately following Rebecca’s disappearance.

“I think he knows a lot more than what has been stated,” Pipkin said.

The Family Says This Is About Finding The Truth

Pipkin emphasizes that the family’s goal is not to publicly accuse anyone.

Instead, she says they are seeking answers and hoping investigators continue pursuing leads that could help locate Rebecca’s remains.

“We’re not doing this to accuse anybody,” Pipkin said.

“We just want the truth. We want to bring her home.”

More than 40 years after Rebecca Beard vanished, the family says that goal has never changed.

They want a place to visit.

A place to leave flowers.

And finally, a place to lay Rebecca Beard to rest.

Related Coverage

Read Part One:

Read Part Two:

More Rebecca Beard coverage:
https://www.chopperrose.com/tag/rebecca-beard/

Editor’s Note

The individuals named in this story have not been charged with Rebecca Beard’s murder. Statements referenced in this article are drawn from interviews, court records and police reports reviewed by the family. Investigators have not publicly announced additional suspects in the case.

Recommended True Crime Books

If you’re interested in cold cases, unsolved mysteries, and investigative reporting, these books provide insight into how complex cases are investigated and solved:

📖 I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara
A bestselling investigation into the Golden State Killer case.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Chopper Rose earns from qualifying purchases. If you purchase through the links below, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions help support independent investigative journalism and cold case reporting.

Breaking News, Rebecca Beard, Texas Cold Cases, True Crime

Exclusive: Rebecca Beard Family Says Police Records Raised New Questions

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Stack of police reports, court records, and investigative documents marked with colorful tabs reviewed by Rebecca Beard’s family as they search for answers in the decades-old cold case.
Rebecca Beard’s family reviewed hundreds of pages of police reports and court records, saying the documents raised new questions about the investigation into her 1986 murder.

Exclusive: Rebecca Beard Family Says Police Records Raised New Questions

BEAUMONT, Texas — For decades, Rebecca Beard’s family believed they understood the basic facts surrounding her disappearance and murder.

That changed when they began reviewing police records.

According to Rebecca’s daughter, Brittany Pipkin, a tip received in 2021 led the family to take a deeper look into the case file.

Rebecca Beard’s daughter, Brittany Pipkin, and her father review police records and case documents while discussing new questions they say emerged from the investigation into Rebecca Beard’s 1986 murder.
Brittany Pipkin and her father examine police records and case files connected to the Rebecca Beard case, searching for answers more than 40 years after Rebecca disappeared.

Watch the Full Video Report

Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose spoke with Brittany Pipkin about the documents that she says changed the family’s understanding of the case.

A Tip That Changed Everything

Brittany Pipkin and her father examine police records and case files connected to the Rebecca Beard case, searching for answers more than 40 years after Rebecca disappeared.
Brittany Pipkin and her father examine police records and case files connected to the Rebecca Beard case, searching for answers more than 40 years after Rebecca disappeared.

Pipkin says a former law enforcement officer encouraged the family to reexamine the investigation.

The family obtained records through open records requests and began reviewing decades of reports.

As they worked through the documents, one item immediately caught their attention.

The Sealed Document

Collection of sealed court records, handwritten notes, and investigative documents marked with color-coded tabs reviewed by Rebecca Beard’s family during their examination of the case file.
A sealed document and related case records reviewed by Rebecca Beard’s family as they continue searching for answers and raising questions about evidence contained in the decades-old investigation

According to Pipkin, the family discovered a copy of a sealed document inside the records.

The document referenced a body that investigators were reportedly waiting to identify.

“We were given a copy of a sealed document,” Pipkin said. “That document said there was a body they were waiting to identify and make sure it was my mother’s body.”

The discovery shocked the family.

For years, they believed there had never been any indication that Rebecca’s remains had been found.

“That right there was kind of a shocker to us,” Pipkin said.

New Witnesses Come Forward

Remote dirt road leading through the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge, an area referenced in witness accounts and past searches connected to the Rebecca Beard case.
The Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge has been mentioned in witness statements and investigative leads related to the Rebecca Beard case. Family members continue to seek answers about whether additional searches should be conducted in the area.

The records review also prompted additional people to contact the family.

Pipkin says several witnesses have provided information that she believes deserves further investigation.

The family has shared information with law enforcement and continues to seek updates on the status of the investigation.

“We have had new witnesses come forward,” Pipkin said. “There have been very specific details on what happened that night.”

At this time, authorities have not publicly announced any new criminal charges connected to the case.

Searching for Answers

Brittany Pipkin in her police officer uniform. Rebecca Beard’s daughter says her law enforcement experience helped her analyze records and investigative documents tied to her mother’s unsolved murder.
Rebecca Beard’s daughter, Brittany Pipkin, became a police officer after losing her mo

Pipkin says she understands the challenges investigators face in a case that is now more than 40 years old.

However, she believes additional work remains.

“I would love them to search all the locations,” Pipkin said.

The family says it has even offered to help locate resources for future searches if needed.

Their goal remains the same as it was decades ago.

They want answers.

Most importantly, they want to bring Rebecca Beard home.

“We just want the truth,” Pipkin said. “We want to bring her home.”

Related Coverage

Read Part One:
Read more Rebecca Beard coverage.

Learn more about missing persons investigations through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children:
https://www.missingkids.org

Coming Next

In Part Three, Brittany Pipkin discusses questions surrounding people named in police reports, including businessman Arch Aplin and witness John Cohn, and why the family believes additional answers may still exist.

Editor’s Note: This story is Part Two of a three-part series examining Rebecca Beard’s disappearance, the unanswered questions that remain and her family’s search for answers.

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Rebecca Beard tag page:
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National Center for Missing & Exploited Children:
https://www.missingkids.org

Breaking News, Investigations, Texas Cold Cases, Texas Killing Fields, True Crime

Tim Miller: James Elmore Jr. Repeatedly Claimed There Was ‘Another Girl’ in Texas Killing Fields Investigation

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CID investigators gather near Calder Road during the Texas Killing Fields search
Investigators gather near Calder Road during the latest search connected to the Texas Killing Fields investigation.

LEAGUE CITY, Texas — As search teams return to Calder Road in the area known as the Texas Killing Fields, Tim Miller says one statement from James Elmore Jr. stayed with him for years.

In a full interview with Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose, Miller said Elmore repeatedly told him there was “another girl” connected to the case.

The search comes decades after the murders of Laura Miller, Audrey Cook, Heidi Villarreal-Fye, and Donna Prudhomme, whose cases became known nationwide as the Texas Killing Fields murders.

Tim Miller on James Elmore Jr.

Tim Miller during an interview discussing James Elmore Jr. and the Texas Killing Fields investigation
Tim Miller discusses information provided by James Elmore Jr., including claims that led investigators back to Calder Road during the latest Texas Killing Fields search.

According to Miller, Elmore brought up the possibility of another victim during conversations that stretched over several years.

“You know, ever since the girls were found, I always wondered if there were more girls out there,” Miller said.

Miller said Elmore contacted him about four years ago and repeatedly returned to the same claim.

“He always said, ‘There’s another girl out here. There’s another one out here.’”

Miller acknowledged that Elmore sometimes struggled to remember details from decades ago.

“He would say it was 38 years ago and he did so much dope back then,” Miller said.

However, Miller said information Elmore provided in other areas of the investigation continued to check out.

“Everything else he told me ended up being true,” Miller said.

Why Investigators Returned to Calder Road

Recovery site at the Texas Killing Fields where victims were found along Calder Road in League City, Texas
A memorial stands near Calder Road in League City, where several victims linked to the Texas Killing Fields investigation were discovered.

Miller said investigators and search teams agreed the information was significant enough to justify another search.

The current operation is focused on looking for evidence connected to one additional possible victim.

Miller cautioned that recovering evidence more than four decades later remains extremely difficult.

“The bad news is it’s 42 years later,” Miller said. “The chances of finding it are very, very slim.”

Claims Involving Clyde Hedrick

Memorial sign displaying photos of Texas Killing Fields victims Laura Miller, Audrey Cook, Donna Prudhomme, Heidi Fye, and Ellen Beason
A memorial sign honors several victims connected to the Texas Killing Fields, including Laura Miller, Audrey Cook, Donna Prudhomme, Heidi Fye, and Ellen Beason.

During the interview, Miller also discussed information Elmore shared about convicted killer Clyde Hedrick.

One example involved a small cemetery that Laura Miller reportedly visited.

Miller said Elmore showed investigators where Hedrick allegedly hid and watched Laura.

“Nobody knew Laura went there,” Miller said. “That was her little peaceful place.”

Miller said details such as that convinced him Elmore possessed information that was not widely known.

Full Interview

The full interview includes Tim Miller’s discussion about:

Why investigators returned to Calder Road

The search for one additional possible victim

Information provided by James Elmore Jr.

Claims involving Clyde Hedrick

Other locations previously searched during the investigation

Watch the full interview below.

Related Coverage:

• Texas Killing Fields: New Search Underway on Calder Road

Interested in learning more about the history of the Texas Killing Fields and other unsolved Gulf Coast murder cases? These books provide additional background and context.

Deliver Us: Three Decades of Murder and Redemption in the Infamous I-45 Texas Killing Fields — Kathryn Casey’s deep dive into the Texas Killing Fields and the victims whose cases remained unsolved for decades.

Murder in the Bayou — Examines another notorious series of unsolved murders and investigative failures along the Gulf Coast.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This comes at no additional cost to you.

Breaking News, Investigations, Texas Cold Cases, True Crime

Rebecca Beard Case: Family Believes Others May Know Where Her Remains Were Buried

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More than 40 years after Rebecca Beard disappeared, new interviews and witness accounts are raising fresh questions about what really happened the night the young mother vanished in Texas.

Family members now believe additional people may have knowledge about where Rebecca’s remains were buried after her disappearance in March 1986. The case has haunted loved ones for decades after Rebecca vanished following a night out in Clute, Texas. Although Paul Taylor pleaded guilty in connection to her murder, Rebecca’s body has never been found.

In my latest investigation for Tammy Rose Reports, I retrace Rebecca Beard’s final known movements while speaking with family members who say new witness information could help investigators finally uncover the truth.

The emotional interviews reveal why Rebecca’s family has never stopped searching for answers — and why they believe this case may involve more people than previously known.

Watch the Full Rebecca Beard Investigation

Key Questions Still Surrounding The Rebecca Beard Case

Where are Rebecca Beard’s remains?

Could new witnesses help solve the decades-old mystery?

Did more people know what happened the night Rebecca disappeared?

Will investigators conduct additional searches connected to the case?

The Rebecca Beard case continues to generate interest across Texas true crime communities as family members push for answers more than four decades later.

Rebecca Beard pictured before her disappearance in Texas in 1986.

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Texas Killing Fields Investigations

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