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

Roy Alan Stuart Investigator Messages Revealed

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Matt Wingo response to Roy Alan Stuart investigation showing July 2023 text messages, Kent McGowen prison diaries and Roy Alan Stuart mugshot.

New Messages Show Multiple Law Enforcement Officials Responded to Kent McGowen’s Roy Alan Stuart Information

By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose

Additional text messages obtained during my investigation into Roy Alan Stuart show former Harris County Deputy Kent McGowen communicated with multiple law enforcement officials after providing information from his prison journals documenting conversations with Stuart.

The messages do not verify the allegations contained in McGowen’s journals. However, they do document that officials from multiple agencies acknowledged receiving or discussing the information and, in some cases, indicated they intended to review the material.

FBI Safe Streets Task Force Acknowledged the Request

In a text message dated January 5, 2023, FBI Safe Streets Task Force Lt. Tommy Hansen responded to McGowen regarding the Roy Alan Stuart journals.

Hansen wrote:

Screenshot of a January 5, 2023 text message from FBI Safe Streets Task Force Lt. Tommy Hansen acknowledging Kent McGowen’s request to review Roy Alan Stuart prison journal notes.
A January 5, 2023 text message from FBI Safe Streets Task Force Lt. Tommy Hansen acknowledges Kent McGowen’s request to review his Roy Alan Stuart prison journals. Personal phone number has been redacted.

“Myself nor Agent Brown have forgot about request to meet with us and review your diary notes ref Roy Alan Stewart.”

He continued by explaining that both investigators were handling several major cases before adding:

“We both have a number of major ongoing cases. We will reach in few weeks to meet.”

The message documents that McGowen’s request remained under consideration while investigators focused on other active investigations.

John Blankenship Discussed the Information

On May 2, 2023, McGowen received another text message from John Blankenship after sending additional information.

Screenshot of a May 2, 2023 text message from John Blankenship discussing Kent McGowen’s Roy Alan Stuart information and referencing a Texas Ranger.
In a May 2, 2023 text message, John Blankenship told Kent McGowen he had discussed the Roy Alan Stuart information with his supervisor and that a Texas Ranger would work on the matter.

Blankenship wrote:

“I ran our conversation by my boss… he wants our new Texas Ranger to work on this.”

He added that he would contact McGowen again once they had a plan in place.

The message indicates McGowen’s information was discussed internally and that a Texas Ranger was expected to become involved.

Texas Ranger Contact

Contact screen identifying Texas Ranger Lieutenant Jeff Wolf, provided by Kent McGowen as part of his Roy Alan Stuart investigation materials. Phone number has been redacted.
Kent McGowen provided this contact entry identifying Texas Ranger Lieutenant Jeff Wolf while documenting his efforts to share information related to Roy Alan Stuart with law enforcement. The phone number has been redacted for privacy.

McGowen also provided a contact entry identifying Texas Ranger Lieutenant Jeff Wolf.

While a contact listing alone does not establish what communications occurred, it is consistent with McGowen’s account that he attempted to provide his journals to multiple law enforcement agencies.

What the Messages Show

The text messages do not establish that Roy Alan Stuart’s alleged confessions were verified.

They also do not confirm that investigators concluded Stuart committed the crimes described in McGowen’s journals.

What they do show is that McGowen’s information was acknowledged by officials representing multiple agencies and that investigators communicated with him regarding his request to have the material reviewed.

Those communications provide additional documentation supporting McGowen’s longstanding claim that he repeatedly attempted to bring the information to law enforcement after documenting his conversations with Stuart in prison.

Continuing Investigation

I continue to review prison journals, text messages, official records, and other documents related to Roy Alan Stuart.

If you have firsthand information regarding Roy Alan Stuart, the prison journals, or any of the cases discussed, you can contact me confidentially.

As with all of my reporting, allegations contained in the journals remain unverified unless supported by independent evidence or official records.

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Recommended Reading

📚 The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule

The Stronger Beside Me

📚 Mindhunter by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker

Mindhunter

Related Investigations

Investigator Matt Wingo Responds to Roy Alan Stuart Story, Raises Questions About Prison Journals

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Former Harris County Deputy Kent McGowen Shares Chilling Roy Alan Stuart Prison Confessions

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

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

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

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

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

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

Taylor questions renewed interest in the Rebecca Beard case

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

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

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

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

Paul Taylor Jr. comments on investigators

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

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

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

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

Faith remains a central theme

Religion appears throughout nearly every message.

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

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

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

Life inside a Texas prison

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

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

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

Taylor notices new reporting

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

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

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

Investigation continues

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

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

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

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

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

Recommended Reading

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

Recommended Reading: Rebecca Beard & Texas True Crime

The Killing Fields

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Deliver Us by Kathryn Casey

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

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

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

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

Why Brittany Pipkin Questions the Original Investigation

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

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

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

Among them are businessman Arch Aplin and John Cohn.

Watch the Full Video Report

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

Questions About Arch Aplin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Conflicting Accounts Raise Questions

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

Questions Surrounding John Cohn

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

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

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

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

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

Taylor eventually pleaded guilty in connection with the case.

For Pipkin, the timeline raises questions.

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

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

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

The Family Says This Is About Finding The Truth

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

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

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

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

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

They want a place to visit.

A place to leave flowers.

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

Related Coverage

Read Part One:

Read Part Two:

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

Editor’s Note

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

Recommended True Crime Books

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

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

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

Breaking News, Life Stories on Film, True Crime

Texas Killing Fields: Survivor Speaks as James Elmore Jr. Awaits Trial

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Former neighbor of Clyde Hedrick points to where he thinks the Texas Killing Field suspect lived in a trailer in Hitchcock.

For decades, the Texas Killing Fields have stood as one of the country’s most haunting crime scenes. Along Calder Road, multiple young women were murdered—leaving families still searching for answers.

Now, the case is taking a new turn.

Investigators say more arrests could be coming. They also warn additional victims may be connected.

For the first time, a man is speaking out. He says he survived a disturbing encounter as a child—one that closely mirrors what investigators believe happened to a known victim.

👇 Watch the full report below:

🔎 Recommended True Crime Reads & Gear

    •    “The Texas Killing Fields” by Kathryn Casey

→ Deep dive into one of Texas’ most chilling cases

    •    “Mindhunter” by John E. Douglas

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