Sheriff Department Scam Call: I Almost Fell for It
By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose
I receive unusual phone calls almost every day as a reporter. Most are tips, questions, or requests for information.
But one phone call caught me completely off guard.
Someone claiming to be with a sheriff’s department called and said I had missed a federal grand jury summons. The caller sounded calm, professional, and convincing. They provided a name and a badge number, then even transferred me to what appeared to be the sheriff’s office.
For a moment, I believed it.
In fact, I drove to the sheriff’s office to find out what was going on.
That’s when I learned the call wasn’t legitimate.
They Called Again
This week, I received two more calls that appeared to be from the same scam.
This time, I didn’t answer.
Instead, I let the calls go to voicemail because I immediately recognized the warning signs from my previous experience.
The voicemail claimed to be from someone identifying themselves as:
“Anthony Little, badge number 5254…”
The recording was difficult to understand, but it was enough to remind me how convincing these scams can sound.
(Listen to the voicemail below.)
Why This Scam Is So Effective
The people behind these calls know exactly how to create panic.
They often claim you’ve:
Missed jury duty.
Missed a federal grand jury summons.
Have an outstanding warrant.
Must respond immediately to avoid arrest.
The goal is simple: convince you to act before you have time to think.
Fortunately, I already knew something wasn’t right because I had experienced a similar scam before.
What Should You Do?
If you receive a call claiming to be from a sheriff’s office or another law enforcement agency:
Stay calm.
Do not provide personal information.
Never send money or gift cards.
Do not follow payment instructions given over the phone.
Hang up and contact the agency using its publicly listed phone number.
Legitimate law enforcement agencies do not typically demand immediate payment over the phone or threaten arrest unless you act immediately.
One Lesson I Won’t Forget
Looking back, I don’t mind admitting that I almost believed the first call.
That’s exactly why these scams continue to work.
If someone who spends a career asking questions can momentarily wonder whether a call is real, imagine how convincing these callers can sound to someone who has never encountered this type of scam before.
The experience reminded me that it’s always better to verify information through official channels than to react out of fear.
Have You Received One?
Have you received a similar phone call claiming to be from a sheriff’s office or another law enforcement agency?
Tell me what happened in the comments below. Your experience could help warn someone else before they become the next victim.
If these scammers call me again, I may answer—not because I believe them, but because I want to expose exactly how these scams work and share that information with you.
Products That Can Help Reduce Scam Calls
Receiving repeated scam calls is frustrating, but there are products that may help protect your personal information and reduce unwanted calls.
Below are a few items I recommend. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Your support helps fund my independent investigative reporting.
Why I Released the 2002 Paul Taylor Jr. Confession
As an investigative reporter, I often have to make difficult decisions.
One of the hardest was deciding whether to release the 2002 family mediation recording involving Paul Taylor Jr. and Rebecca Beard’s family.
When I first obtained an exclusive copy of the recording from Rebecca Beard’s family, I wasn’t sure if I would ever make it public.
For months, I listened to the recording while reviewing court records, investigative documents, and interviewing Rebecca’s family. The more I reported on the case, the more I believed the recording added important context to an investigation that still raises questions nearly four decades later.
Rather than relying on summaries or secondhand accounts, I wanted people to hear Paul Taylor Jr.’s own words for themselves.
This article isn’t about telling anyone what to believe.
It’s about explaining why I decided to release the recording and why I believe it is an important part of my ongoing investigation.
“Rather than relying on summaries or secondhand accounts, I wanted people to hear Paul Taylor Jr.’s own words and decide for themselves.”
Watch the Exclusive 2002 Paul Taylor Jr. Confession
The full 30-minute recording is embedded below. I encourage you to listen to it in its entirety before drawing your own conclusions.
Why the recording stood out
As I compared the mediation recording with other records I reviewed during my investigation, several things caught my attention.
One involves the events after Rebecca Beard disappeared.
During the mediation, Paul Taylor Jr. appears unable to remember getting his vehicle stuck in a ditch near his home or the tow truck driver who reportedly helped pull him out. Yet in other parts of the recording, he recalls details surrounding the case.
That difference raised questions for me.
Another involves the weapon.
While reviewing investigative records, I came across a sealed document containing entries that reference a Remington shotgun and what appears to be human remains.
Those entries stood out because they raise questions when compared with portions of the mediation recording.
I encourage viewers to listen to the recording, review the available information, and draw their own conclusions.
Why I chose to publish it
Investigative reporting isn’t about deciding a case.
It’s about asking questions, reviewing records, interviewing the people closest to the investigation, and presenting information as fairly and accurately as possible.
Over the past several months, I’ve interviewed Rebecca Beard’s family, reviewed numerous court records and investigative documents, and continued asking questions about a case that still has many unanswered ones.
After months of reporting, I believed it was time to let the public hear this recording in its entirety.
This article serves as an introduction to that recording.
I encourage you to listen to the complete mediation audio in context and compare what is said with the records discussed throughout my investigation.
Sometimes the biggest questions aren’t about what someone remembers.
They’re about what they don’t.
Thank you for taking the time to follow my reporting.
Related Rebecca Beard Coverage
Continue following my investigation with these related reports:
This investigation took months of research, interviews, reviewing court records, and comparing documents with the 2002 mediation recording. These are some of the tools I use while reporting stories like this.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase through the links on this page, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my independent investigative journalism.
Newly released Texas Attorney General reports raise new questions in the investigation into the fatal shooting of John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. The Texas Rangers investigation remains ongoing.
By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose
John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. Investigation
The John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. investigation continues to raise new questions after newly released Texas Attorney General state reports provided additional details about the fatal June 1 shooting in Lake Jackson. The documents describe the same incident but use different wording in several key sections.
The Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office submitted both a Custodial Death Report and a Peace Officer Involved Injuries or Death Report to the Texas Attorney General. While the Texas Rangers continue investigating the John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. case, the newly released records highlight differences in how the incident was documented.
Both reports describe the same incident. However, they use different wording in several sections while the Texas Rangers continue their investigation.
John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. Investigation: Reports Describe the Same Incident
Both reports identify Mendoza as the 18-year-old who died after a deputy attempted a traffic stop that ended at a residence on Indian Warrior Trail in Lake Jackson.
According to the records, Mendoza drove into a garage attached to a home after deputies attempted to stop him.
The reports state the deputy was on duty and involved in a pursuit after Mendoza allegedly failed to stop.
Custodial Death Report Lists Homicide
The Texas Attorney General Custodial Death Report identifies John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. and includes the official manner and cause of death submitted by the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office.
The Custodial Death Report lists the manner of death as:
Homicide (includes Justifiable Homicide).
Medical examiners use that classification when one person causes another person’s death. The classification does not determine whether a crime occurred or whether criminal charges are appropriate.
The report lists the medical cause of death as a gunshot wound that entered through the left upper extremity into the torso.
It also identifies the weapon as a handgun.
Incident Summary Uses the Word “Discharged”
The incident summary in the Texas Attorney General Custodial Death Report states that the deputy’s firearm discharged while approaching John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. The report does not explain what caused the firearm to discharge.
One section of the Custodial Death Report states:
“When entering the garage approaching the driver, the deputy’s firearm discharged and a bullet struck the driver.”
The report does not explain why the firearm discharged or whether investigators have determined if the discharge was intentional, accidental, or the result of another circumstance.
Reports Use Different Language About a Weapon
A separate Texas Attorney General report states that John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. “carried, exhibited, or used a deadly weapon.” The report does not identify the weapon or explain why this wording differs from the Custodial Death Report.
One section of the Custodial Death Report asks whether Mendoza displayed or used a weapon during the incident.
The answer listed is:
Unknown.
However, the separate Peace Officer Involved Injuries or Death Report includes a different description.
That report states the injured or deceased person:
“Carried, exhibited, or used a deadly weapon.”
Neither report explains the apparent difference in wording or identifies the weapon referenced in that section.
The records also do not describe when investigators reached those conclusions or whether additional evidence remains under review.
Deputy Was Not Responding to a Call
The Peace Officer Involved Injuries or Death Report states the deputy was not responding to a call for service when the incident began.
Instead, the report states the encounter occurred during a pursuit involving a suspect who was allegedly evading arrest or detention using a motor vehicle.
The report identifies the deputy as a 29-year-old male who was on duty at the time of the shooting.
Investigation Continues
John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. is pictured in his Brazoswood High School football uniform before the June 1, 2026, incident in Lake Jackson. The Texas Rangers continue to investigate the fatal deputy-involved shooting.
The Custodial Death Report states emergency personnel treated Mendoza before transporting him to a local hospital, where he later died.
The report also confirms that the Texas Rangers, working with the Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office, continue investigating the shooting.
Neither report reaches a conclusion about criminal responsibility or explains what caused the deputy’s firearm to discharge.
As the investigation moves forward, the newly released state records answer some questions while raising others about the events inside the garage on June 1.
Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose contacted the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office for comment regarding the newly released state records. No response had been received at the time of publication.
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.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my independent journalism and investigative reporting.
Just days after I published previously released messages from Paul Taylor Jr., another communication arrived in the recipient’s inbox.
The recipient asked to remain anonymous because of concerns about unwanted attention in Brazoria County. I reviewed the original message before publishing this report and agreed to protect the recipient’s identity.
“I’m Hoping This One Will Make You Dig Deep Again”
The latest message does not contain a confession or new details about Rebecca Beard’s disappearance. Instead, Taylor continues using spiritual language while suggesting there is more he cannot discuss.
Among the statements included in the email:
“There is so much I cannot tell you.”
“The Holy Spirit is doing unbelievable things.”
“I’m hoping this one will make you dig deep again??”
Taylor also writes that he is “going through the fire” before telling the recipient to “enjoy the ride.”
A Continuing Pattern
This message follows other communications I previously reported on involving Taylor.
While the email does not offer new evidence in the Rebecca Beard investigation, it continues a pattern of messages in which Taylor hints at information without providing specific facts.
To protect the recipient’s privacy, I redacted identifying information from the published screenshots at the recipient’s request.
Related Coverage: Read my previous reporting on the Rebecca Beard investigation and Paul Taylor Jr.’s earlier communications.
Recommended Reading: If you’re interested in unsolved Texas murder cases, these books provide additional background through my Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
Readers who follow the Rebecca Beard investigation may also be interested in these books on criminal investigations, missing persons cases, and unsolved mysteries:
The suspects’ getaway car sits wedged beneath a semi-trailer after a Pasadena pawn shop robbery ended in a dramatic crash involving two 18-wheelers.
Robbery Suspects’ Getaway Car Ends Up Under 18-Wheeler
What started as an armed robbery at a Pasadena pawn shop ended with a mangled getaway car trapped beneath an 18-wheeler along Houston’s East Loop.
According to the Pasadena Police Department, officers were called around 9 a.m. Thursday to a robbery at a Cash America Pawn store in the 500 block of Pasadena Boulevard. Investigators say two armed suspects entered the business, robbed the store, and fled in a white Nissan Altima.
But their escape didn’t last long.
Police Spot Suspects Near East Loop
Pasadena officers quickly obtained a description of the vehicle and began searching the area. A short time later, an officer located the Nissan Altima near Market Street and the East Loop.
Police said the suspects attempted to evade officers before the situation spiraled out of control.
Getaway Car Slams Into Two 18-Wheelers
Investigators say the Altima first collided with an 18-wheeler driven by Alex Flores on the Market Street bridge.
The impact sent the vehicle spinning out of control. The car then traveled down an embankment toward the East Loop, where it crashed into a second 18-wheeler and became wedged underneath the trailer.
Photos from the scene show the white sedan crushed beneath the massive truck.
Driver Critically Injured
Emergency crews rushed to the crash scene and worked to free the driver from the wreckage.
Police said the suspect suffered critical injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital.
A second suspect fled the scene on foot but was later captured and taken into custody.
Investigation Continues
The Pasadena Police Department continues to investigate both the armed robbery and the crash.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the suspects.
As investigators work to piece together exactly what happened, the dramatic crash serves as a reminder of how quickly a getaway attempt can turn into a life-threatening disaster.
What Do You Think?
Should suspects who flee from police face enhanced penalties when innocent motorists are put at risk?
Leave your thoughts in the comments.
Related: Read more Houston-area breaking news and police investigations on http://ChopperRose.com
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 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.
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
A police report indicates John Cone requested to speak with his attorney before providing a statement to investigators.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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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.”
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.
