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.
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.
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:
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