The Texas Attorney General ruled Aug. 28, 2026, that Brazoria County may withhold investigative information tied to the Rebecca “Becky” Beard case, but must release basic information.
More records in the decades-old Rebecca “Becky” Beard case will remain out of public view for now.
The Texas Attorney General issued a new ruling Aug. 28 allowing Brazoria County to withhold investigative information because authorities say it relates to an ongoing criminal case.
But the ruling comes with an important exception.
Brazoria County must release the basic information.
I have already requested it.
New ruling in the Rebecca Beard records investigation
Rebecca “Becky” Beard pictured with her daughter before Becky disappeared from Freeport, Texas, in March 1986.
Beard was 22 when she disappeared after leaving the Excalibur Club in Freeport in March 1986.
Her body has never been recovered.
Paul Taylor Jr. pleaded guilty in 1995 in connection with her death, but questions surrounding the case have continued for decades.
My investigation has included multiple public information requests seeking Brazoria County records connected to the case.
Those requests have now resulted in another Attorney General ruling.
Brazoria County says the criminal case is ongoing
The Aug. 28 decision provides an important detail about the current status of the investigation.
According to the Attorney General, Brazoria County said a law enforcement agency objected to releasing the information because it “relates to an ongoing criminal case.”
The county argued that releasing the records could interfere with that case.
The Attorney General agreed that the investigative information may be withheld under Section 552.108(a)(1) of the Texas Government Code.
However, the ruling also says the county must release basic information under Section 552.108(c).
Eight Brazoria County records requests included in ruling
The Attorney General combined eight Brazoria County reference numbers in the decision:
26-1859, 26-1865, 26-1874, 26-1933, 26-1947, 26-1950, 26-1991 and 26-2012.
The Attorney General assigned the matter request ID 26-033498.
The Aug. 28 decision is OR2026-038106.
What will Brazoria County release?
That is now the question.
The ruling does not mean Brazoria County must turn over the entire investigative file.
It does mean the county cannot withhold everything.
I have submitted a follow-up request seeking the basic information that the Attorney General says must be released.
Once those records arrive, I will review them and report what they reveal.
After 40 years, the Rebecca Beard case continues to generate new questions — and the state now confirms that authorities still consider the matter tied to an ongoing criminal case.
Read the Attorney General ruling
I have included the Aug. 28, 2026 Texas Attorney General ruling connected to these Brazoria County records requests below.
The ruling, OR2026-038106, says the county may withhold investigative information tied to the ongoing criminal case, but must release basic information.
For readers traveling to Brazoria County for court proceedings, research or other business, Hotels.com can help compare accommodations throughout the area and along the Texas Gulf Coast.
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Texas Department of Public Safety missing person bulletin for Rebecca “Becky” Beard, who disappeared in 1986.
Brazoria County seeks to withhold Rebecca Beard records
Brazoria County prosecutors are asking the Texas Attorney General for permission to withhold records connected to the renewed investigation into the 1986 disappearance and murder of Rebecca “Becky” Beard.
The August 25 filing also reveals new details about the investigation.
Prosecutors confirmed investigators examined information involving possible additional suspects in Beard’s murder. They also confirmed investigators recently presented their findings to a Brazoria County grand jury.
The grand jury took no action.
Records request targeted 2026 investigation
I submitted a Texas Public Information Act request on August 10 seeking records related to the 2026 investigation.
The request focused on information provided by Cherie Starr, also known as “Rio.”
I requested interviews, statements, reports, recordings, photographs, maps and investigative notes connected to Starr’s information.
I also sought records concerning any location Starr identified as a possible site for Beard’s remains or other evidence.
The request included records involving a possible search, excavation or dig.
I also requested communications between the Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office, Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Rangers and other law enforcement agencies.
Importantly, the request did not seek secret grand jury testimony, deliberations, voting records or juror identities.
Brazoria County confirms responsive records exist
The District Attorney’s Office confirmed it holds records that respond to the request.
However, prosecutors want to withhold those records in their entirety.
In its August 25 letter to the Texas Attorney General, the DA’s Office cited the law-enforcement exception under Section 552.108 of the Texas Government Code.
Prosecutors argue that Beard’s murder investigation remains open because her body has never been recovered.
They contend releasing the requested records could interfere with that continuing investigation.
Filing reveals investigation of possible additional suspects
The filing provides an important glimpse into what happened during the renewed investigation.
Prosecutors wrote that their office had recently investigated “other possible actors/defendants” in Beard’s murder.
According to the filing, investigators presented those findings to a Brazoria County grand jury.
The DA’s Office said the grand jury took no action because investigators did not develop other credible suspects.
That disclosure provides new information about the scope of the 2026 investigation.
It shows investigators did more than simply review an old case file. They examined whether other people may have played a role in Beard’s murder and brought those findings before a grand jury.
Paul Taylor was convicted, but Becky remains missing
John Paul Taylor Jr. pleaded guilty in 1995 to murdering Beard.
Beard was 22 when she disappeared in March 1986.
Her body has never been recovered.
The DA’s filing cites that fact as one reason the murder investigation remains open. Prosecutors argue law enforcement must remain able to investigate credible new leads if they emerge.
Prosecutors also claim attorney work-product protection
The District Attorney’s Office makes another argument for withholding the records.
Prosecutors say the requested investigative notes and materials contain attorney work product.
According to the filing, a DA investigator prepared the records while working at the direction of an appointed special prosecutor.
The DA argues the documents contain investigative strategy, mental impressions and legal reasoning connected to potential criminal litigation.
For those reasons, prosecutors asked the Attorney General to allow them to withhold all of the responsive records.
The Attorney General will decide
The August 25 filing is not a final ruling on my records request.
It is Brazoria County’s argument for why the records should remain confidential.
The Texas Attorney General’s Office will now review the arguments and determine whether state law allows Brazoria County to withhold the requested material.
The decision could allow the county to withhold the records, require the release of some information, or require additional responsive material to be released.
I will continue following the records dispute and the investigation into what happened to Rebecca Beard.
The public records request and Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office filing to the Texas Attorney General are attached below.
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Mitchell Wasek faces felony charges in Travis County as his defense challenges evidence and seeks dismissal of the indictment.
Buc-ee’s Co-Founder’s Son Fights Felony Case as New Court Hearing Nears
By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose
The criminal case against the son of a Buc-ee’s co-founder is heading back to court.
Mitchell Wasek now wants a judge to suppress evidence in his felony child pornography case. His defense also wants the indictment dismissed.
Court records reviewed by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose show a pretrial hearing set for August 18, 2026, at 1:15 p.m. in Travis County’s 167th District Court.
The latest filings reveal a significant new legal fight.
Mitchell Wasek Case Update: Defense Challenges Evidence
Wasek faces a felony charge of possession of child pornography in Travis County.
The current court docket lists the offense as a second-degree felony.
His attorney filed a motion to suppress on April 14, 2026.
The docket describes the filing as a:
“Motion to suppress evidence obtained by theft and breach of computer security.”
The wording raises a major question.
What evidence does the defense want thrown out, and how was it obtained?
The court docket does not answer that question by itself.
The actual motion could provide those details.
Defense Also Wants Indictment Dismissed
Another filing could have an even bigger impact on the case.
On June 2, 2026, Wasek’s defense filed a motion asking the court to dismiss the indictment.
The stated reason:
An expired statute of limitations.
The judge has not dismissed the case based on the docket reviewed for this report.
The State also requested several subpoenas that same day.
One went to Detective Keith McManus.
Court records show that subpoena was executed on June 5.
Pretrial Hearing Set for August 18
The next scheduled hearing could determine what happens with those defense challenges.
The Travis County Odyssey Portal lists a:
Pretrial Hearing August 18, 2026 1:15 p.m. 167th District Court
The hearing could bring new arguments over the evidence and the defense request to dismiss the indictment.
It could also provide the clearest update yet on where the case stands.
Wasek Also Faces 21 Invasive Recording Counts
Mitchell Wasek faces felony charges in Travis County as his defense seeks to suppress evidence and dismiss the indictment.
The child pornography case came after an earlier investigation involving allegations of secret recordings.
The Travis County District Attorney’s Office announced in May 2024 that a grand jury returned six indictments against Wasek.
Those indictments contained 21 counts of invasive visual recording involving 13 alleged victims.
Prosecutors said the alleged recordings occurred over roughly two years in Travis County.
Those cases also remain listed in Travis County court records.
Wasek has not been convicted of the allegations discussed in this report. He remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Why the Buc-ee’s Name Draws Attention
Arch Aplin remained in contact with investigators as questions continued about the Rebecca Beard case timeline.
Mitchell Wasek is the son of Buc-ee’s co-founder Don Wasek.
That connection has pushed the criminal case into headlines across Texas.
It also creates an unusual overlap with another story I have covered extensively.
Not because the criminal cases have anything to do with each other.
My reporting has also examined conflicting information in historical records about when Aplin last saw Becky and who investigators reported seeing at the Excalibur Club around the time of her disappearance.
Again, there is no known connection between Mitchell Wasek’s criminal case and Rebecca Beard’s murder case.
The common thread is that both stories involve members of the families behind one of Texas’ most recognizable brands.
Related Rebecca Beard Coverage
Exclusive: Arch Aplin Responds to Rebecca Beard Question
Nearly 40 years after Rebecca “Becky” Beard disappeared from Freeport, Texas, her family is still searching for the answer that matters most.
Where is Becky?
Rebecca “Becky” Beard disappeared in March 1986. Her family continues searching for information that could help locate her remains.
Now, her family wants the public to hear information from a woman known as “Rio.” Her account includes disturbing claims about what may have happened to Becky and where someone may have taken her remains.
However, an important warning comes with Rio’s story.
According to Becky’s family, prosecutors recently presented information involving Rio to a Brazoria County grand jury. Family members say the grand jury took no action.
Becky’s family also says the Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office told them investigators did not consider Rio a credible witness.
I am not presenting Rio’s statements as established facts.
Still, Becky’s family believes parts of her account could contain accurate information. They hope releasing these details reaches someone who knows what happened or where to find Becky.
Who Was Rebecca “Becky” Beard?
Rebecca “Becky” Beard pictured with her daughter before Becky disappeared from Freeport, Texas, in March 1986.
Becky Beard was 22 years old when she disappeared after spending the night at the Excalibur Club in Freeport on March 1, 1986.
She never came home.
Investigators have never recovered her body.
Years later, Paul Taylor Jr. pleaded guilty in connection with Becky’s death. Despite that conviction, her family has spent decades trying to find her remains.
That search continues today.
Who Is the Witness Known as Rio?
Cherie “Rio” Starr stands near Tammy Rose’s Jeep during an interview connected to the Rebecca “Becky” Beard investigation.
During my investigation, I tracked down Cherie “Rio” Starr, a woman who has provided an account of events surrounding Becky’s disappearance.
Rio made several specific and disturbing claims. Some involve what allegedly happened to Becky’s body and where people may have taken her remains.
Investigators have not established those claims as fact.
According to Becky’s family, the district attorney told them authorities did not find Rio credible.
Still, one reason the family has not completely dismissed her story is that some details appear to connect with information they already knew about Becky’s life before she disappeared.
The Galveston Weekend in Becky’s Planner
Becky Beard’s personal planner contains entries documenting events and trips in the weeks before her March 1986 disappearance.
One detail deserves closer examination.
Becky kept a planner. An entry documents a weekend trip to Galveston from February 14 through February 16, 1986, just weeks before she disappeared.
Becky was dating Beaver Aplin at the time.
Rio described an incident involving Aplin during which she said he got down on his knees with a dozen roses, jewelry and bottles.
That detail caught the family’s attention because Becky’s mother, Linda Barnes, already knew about Becky’s Galveston weekend.
Linda recalled Becky returning from the trip and throwing away roses.
Her mother asked her why she was throwing them away.
According to Linda, Becky did not want to talk about it.
That does not prove Rio’s account.
It does, however, raise a question for the family: How much of Rio’s story, if any, could be independently verified?
Becky’s planner documents the Galveston weekend. Her mother remembers the roses. Rio later provided an account involving roses and the man Becky was dating.
The family believes those details are worth examining rather than ignoring.
Family Says Evidence Was Presented to a Grand Jury
A remote dirt road in the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge near the area where witness Cherie Lynette “Rio” Starr claims Rebecca “Becky” Beard was buried.
Becky’s family says prosecutors recently presented evidence involving Rio to a Brazoria County grand jury.
According to family members, the grand jury took no action.
They also say the district attorney told them authorities did not consider Rio a credible witness.
Those details matter.
Rio’s claims are not established facts.
I am not presenting them as proof of what happened to Becky.
Instead, the family wants to know whether someone else can independently confirm any part of her account.
Why Release Rio’s Story?
There is a simple reason.
Becky still has not been found.
Almost four decades have passed since she disappeared. People who were young adults in 1986 are now much older. Some witnesses have died. Properties have changed. Memories have faded.
That makes information from people who were there increasingly important.
The family understands authorities have questioned Rio’s credibility. They also understand that a grand jury took no action after hearing information related to her account, according to what family members say they were told.
Still, they cannot get past the possibility that one detail could be true even if other parts of a witness’s story are not.
The Galveston weekend is one reason they continue asking questions.
Someone May Remember Something
Texas Department of Public Safety missing person bulletin for Rebecca “Becky” Beard, who disappeared in 1986.
Maybe you were at the Excalibur Club.
Maybe you knew Becky, Paul Taylor Jr., Beaver Aplin or Rio.
Maybe you remember the Galveston weekend in February 1986.
Maybe you heard a conversation afterward.
Or perhaps you know something about a location connected to the case.
The family isn’t asking people to speculate. They are looking for firsthand information that can be independently checked.
If you know something, even if it seemed insignificant at the time, consider coming forward.
After nearly 40 years, Becky’s family isn’t looking for rumors.
They are looking for Becky.
Carol Mize shows areas she has searched while continuing to look for answers in the 1986 disappearance of her sister, Rebecca “Becky” Beard.
This article is part of my continuing independent investigation into the disappearance and death of Rebecca “Becky” Beard. Statements attributed to witnesses represent their accounts unless independently corroborated. The inclusion of any person’s name does not imply criminal conduct or involvement in Becky’s death.
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.
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.
⸻
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.
⸻
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.
⸻
Read More in This Series
Part 1: Rebecca Beard: John Cone’s Confession and the Early Investigation
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Rebecca Beard’s family continues to question evidence, sealed records, and investigative conclusions nearly four decades after her 1986 disappearance and murder.
Rebecca Beard Meeting: Family Presses Investigators on Evidence While Authorities Defend Their Conclusions
CLUTE, Texas — A recorded meeting between Rebecca “Becky” Beard’s family and Brazoria County officials reveals sharp questions about court records, physical evidence, witness statements and the continuing search for her remains.
Becky disappeared after leaving the Excalibur Club in Freeport in March 1986. Paul Taylor later pleaded guilty to her murder, but investigators have never recovered Rebecca Beard’s body.
During the meeting, Becky’s sister, Carol Mize, and mother, Linda Barnes, questioned Brazoria County District Attorney Tom Selleck, former DA investigator John Blankenship, investigator Tommy Hansen and others involved in reviewing the case.
Selleck prosecuted Taylor in the original case and now serves as Brazoria County district attorney. Blankenship is a former investigator with the DA’s Office who came out of retirement to help review the Beard case.
According to a professional biography presented for Hansen, he worked for the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office from 1973 until 2024. The biography states that he transferred his law-enforcement license to the Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office in January 2025 and remained assigned to an FBI task force.
Rebecca Beard’s Family Questions Court Records
Handwritten court notes and docket records became a major focus during the meeting as Rebecca Beard’s family questioned language, timelines, and evidence referenced in the original case.
A significant portion of the meeting centered on handwritten court notes and docket records from Taylor’s case.
Mize questioned language indicating that Larry Bullard planned to testify about “finding” Rebecca Beard’s body. She asked why the document appeared to reference a body when authorities have repeatedly said they never recovered Becky’s remains.
Officials disputed that interpretation. They said Bullard’s appearance concerned efforts to locate Becky’s body and the prosecution’s request for additional time to continue searching.
According to officials, the court had already selected a jury when Paul Taylor changed his plea before opening statements and testimony began. The court later released the jurors.
The family continued to challenge the wording in the court record. They argued the written language appeared more definitive than the explanation officials provided during the meeting.
Pre-Sentence Document Marked Not for Public Inspection
The family also questioned an envelope marked “Pre-Sentence Investigation,” “Judicial Document” and “Not for Public Inspection.”
Officials explained that judges use a pre-sentence investigation, commonly called a PSI, to review a standard report before sentencing. They said the restriction applied only to the PSI and did not mean anyone had secretly sealed evidence about Becky’s body.
Mize said she received the document among additional pages included with the records she purchased. She questioned why those pages were not part of the original page count.
The group also discussed the roles of the district clerk, deputy district clerk and judge in preparing, filing and maintaining court documents.
Family Raises Questions About the Shotgun
The possible murder weapon became another major point of discussion.
Taylor’s account has reportedly included a handgun. However, the family questioned why a shotgun appeared in the case evidence records.
Mize questioned why the evidence records appeared to show someone entered the shotgun into evidence after Taylor entered his plea. Officials disputed that timeline. They said investigators collected the firearm earlier and later returned it after the case concluded.
The conversation included references to two officers signing the weapon into evidence and to a man associated with the shotgun. The exact spelling of several names mentioned in the audio remains unclear.
The disagreement highlights a central concern for the family: whether the dates and descriptions in the evidence records fully match the official explanation of the case.
Officials Continue to Believe Paul Taylor Acted Alone
Paul Taylor Jr.‘s booking photograph from the Rebecca Beard murder investigation. During the meeting, officials defended the original prosecution and said they continue to believe Taylor acted alone in Becky’s murder.
Selleck and the investigators defended the original prosecution and said the available evidence continues to point to Taylor as the sole person responsible for Becky’s murder.
Officials said there was enough evidence to present the case to a grand jury, obtain an indictment and prepare for trial. Taylor ultimately changed his plea after the court selected a jury.
They also discussed a more recent interview with Taylor. According to officials in the meeting, that interview did not give them a reason to believe another person participated in the crime.
One official said the combined experience of those reviewing the case exceeded 100 years and that they had not developed a “gut feeling” that Taylor’s conviction was wrong.
Why Paul Taylor Led Investigators to a Search Site
Officials said Paul Taylor led investigators to this search area because he believed he buried Rebecca Beard there. During the meeting, they distinguished that location from what they believe may have happened to her remains afterward.
The family asked why Taylor led investigators to a location if he also claimed he did not know where Becky’s body was.
Officials drew a distinction between the location where Taylor believed he buried Becky and what may have happened to her remains afterward.
They said Taylor could identify the area where he believed the burial occurred but could not explain whether the remains had later been moved, scattered or affected by environmental conditions.
The family also discussed a tow truck driver, Jack Daniels, who reportedly pulled Taylor’s vehicle from a ditch around the time of the crime.
Investigators Say the Search Has Not Ended
Rebecca “Becky” Beard disappeared after leaving the Excalibur Club in Freeport in March 1986. During the meeting, officials told her family investigators continue searching for her remains nearly four decades later.
Officials told Mize and Barnes that investigators have not stopped looking for Becky.
They described the difficulties of recovering remains after four decades in a coastal area affected by hurricanes, flooding, animals, vegetation and natural decomposition.
An investigator said other homicide cases involving remains left in similar environments have also ended without a recovery.
Officials said credible information about a new location would still be investigated.
“Nobody’s giving up,” one participant told the family.
Family DNA Available for Future Comparisons
The meeting also included questions about DNA.
Officials said DNA from Becky’s biological relatives is available for comparison if unidentified remains are discovered in the future.
They explained that unidentified remains can be entered into national databases and compared with family reference samples. No match involving Becky had been reported at the time of the meeting.
The family said having DNA available is important because remains could be uncovered years later during construction, land development or another investigation.
Officials Address Witness Rio’s Statements
Witness Rio reportedly led investigators to this location in the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge while describing his account of Rebecca Beard’s disappearance. During the meeting, officials addressed Rio’s statements as family members questioned his version of events.
The family also questioned claims made by a witness identified as Rio.
Rio has reportedly described multiple people participating in Becky’s assault, death and the movement of her remains. The account has included unusual claims involving an alligator and an ambulance.
Several participants said they had never previously heard that version.
Officials said numerous people named or connected to Rio’s account had been interviewed. They said investigators were unable to corroborate the substantive portions of the account concerning the crime or the people allegedly present.
They acknowledged that some general details could be confirmed, including the existence of certain locations. However, they said that did not verify the allegations about what happened to Becky.
Family Continues to Challenge the Official Account
The meeting showed a clear divide between the family’s unresolved questions and the conclusions defended by authorities.
Mize and Barnes pressed officials about the court record, the shotgun, witness accounts, search locations and the lack of Becky’s remains.
Officials maintained that Taylor acted alone, that the original prosecution was supported by sufficient evidence and that no credible information has changed that conclusion.
For Becky’s family, however, the absence of her remains and the conflicting language found in records continue to leave questions nearly 40 years after her disappearance.
Related Rebecca Beard Coverage
Read more about the conflicting information surrounding legal representation for Paul Taylor and what the Beard family says it was told:
Books examining unsolved disappearances and cold-case investigations can provide insight into how evidence, witness statements and investigative decisions are reviewed decades after a crime.
Investigative journalism books offer a closer look at court records, public-information requests, evidence logs and the challenges reporters face when examining conflicting official accounts.
Editor’s Note
This article is based on audio from a meeting involving Rebecca Beard’s family, Brazoria County officials and investigators. Statements are attributed to the people heard in the recording. Some names and portions of the conversation were difficult to understand and should be confirmed through original records before being treated as established fact.
Amazon Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Paul Taylor Jr. booking photo from the investigation into the 1986 disappearance and murder of Rebecca Beard. His recent prison messages are compared with statements discussed during a meeting with Rebecca Beard’s family regarding legal representation.
Rebecca Beard Family Questions Statements About Paul Taylor and Legal Representation
An autographed 1985 photo of Rebecca Beard inscribed, “To John, Love Always, Becky Beard.” The image is included in the Beard family’s article examining conflicting accounts about Paul Taylor Jr. and legal representation.
The family of Rebecca Beard says newly reviewed prison messages from Paul Taylor raise questions about statements made during a meeting with Brazoria County officials regarding legal representation and the Texas Innocence Project.
According to Rebecca Beard’s sister, Carol Mize, family members met with officials to discuss developments in the decades-old murder case. During that meeting, participants discussed whether Taylor had been offered legal representation.
Carol Mize Says Officials Claimed Paul Taylor Declined Legal Representation
According to Carol Mize, participants at the meeting stated that Paul Taylor had been offered legal representation but declined the offer.
That statement prompted questions from the Beard family after reviewing messages Taylor later sent from prison.
Paul Taylor’s Messages Tell a Different Story
Screenshots of prison messages sent by Paul Taylor Jr. that are compared with statements discussed during a meeting with Rebecca Beard’s family regarding legal representation and the Texas Innocence Project.
In a message provided to the Beard family, Taylor wrote:
“I HAVE NO ATTORNEY OR FUNDS!”
He also wrote:
“NO ONE HAS EVER CONTACTED ME ABOUT RIGHTS, HELP, OR TEXAS INNOCENT PROJECT!!”
Taylor added that he was unaware of a sealed case document, writing:
“DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT CASE SEALED…”
In a more recent message to Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose, Taylor wrote:
“I MEAN NO DISRESPECT TO YOU and (REDACTED) ! BUT I’LL GIVE A STATEMENT WHEN THIS IS OVER!!”
Conflicting Accounts Raise New Questions
Carol Mize says officials stated Paul Taylor declined legal representation that had been offered to him. Taylor’s prison messages later presented a different account, raising new questions in the Rebecca Beard case.
According to Carol Mize, officials stated during the meeting that Paul Taylor declined legal representation that had been offered to him.
Taylor’s own written messages present a different account. In those messages, he states that he has no attorney, no funds, and was never contacted about rights, legal help, or the Texas Innocence Project.
At this time, Tammy Rose has not independently verified which account is accurate. The article reflects statements made during the meeting, as described by Carol Mize, alongside Taylor’s own written messages.
Editor’s Note
This article is based on statements made during a meeting attended by Rebecca Beard’s family, as described by Carol Mize, and on messages attributed to Paul Taylor. The statements represent differing accounts and are presented to accurately reflect what each party said.
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Rebecca Beard Case: Family Demands Answers 146 Days Later
It has been 146 days since a witness came forward in the Rebecca “Becky” Beard case and led multiple law enforcement agencies to a location inside the Brazoria County Wildlife Refuge.
Beard’s family says investigators have not returned for a new dig.
The delay has left the family angry, frustrated, and searching for answers in a case that dates back to 1986.
Family Questions Paul Taylor Jr.’s Confession
Family members tell investigative reporter Tammy Rose they no longer believe convicted Paul Taylor Jr. pulled the trigger.
They believe Taylor may have been present, but they say his own confession raises serious questions.
According to records reviewed by the family, Taylor said he was blacked out drunk during parts of the crime. He also reportedly said he used a handgun to shoot Becky.
The family says that does not match other evidence in the case.
Records Point to a Shotgun
According to family members, this evidence sheet contains information they believe conflicts with details contained in Paul Taylor Jr.’s confession.
Family members have spent months reviewing police reports, court records, and evidence documents.
One sealed evidence document raises major questions for the family.
According to family members, the document shows investigators recovered a Remington shotgun along with remains.
The family says the document also shows an investigator expected to testify about the remains after officials identified them.
Photos From Clute Home Raise Questions
Family members point to these two holes inside the 3rd Street residence in Clute and question whether they are consistent with a handgun, as described in Paul Taylor Jr.’s confession.
Family members also reviewed photos from the 3rd Street home in Clute, where police say Becky was shot.
They say two holes in the photos look more like shotgun damage than handgun damage.
No law enforcement agency has publicly confirmed that interpretation.
Family Says DA Had Not Seen Document
In December 2024, the family met with Brazoria County District Attorney Tom Selleck.
They asked him about the sealed evidence document.
According to family members, Selleck said he had not seen the paperwork.
The family says that answer does not make sense because the document appears tied to evidence and possible testimony in the case.
Investigative reporter Tammy Rose reached out to the Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office for comment. As of publication, the office has not responded.
146 Days and No New Dig
A witness led multiple law enforcement agencies to this area inside the Brazoria County Wildlife Refuge in January 2026. Family members say no new excavation has taken place in the 146 days since.
The family says 146 days have passed since the witness led agencies to the Brazoria County Wildlife Refuge.
They say no new dig has happened at that location.
For Becky’s loved ones, the wait has only added to their frustration.
They want investigators to return to the site and follow the information the witness provided.
This remains a developing story. Investigative reporter Tammy Rose will continue following the Rebecca Beard case.
Editor’s Note: The claims about the witness, records, and photos come from family members. Tammy Rose requested comment from the Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office and will update this story if the office responds.
