Tag Archives: Rebecca Beard Case

Brazoria County, Investigations, Paul Taylor Jr., Rebecca Beard, Texas Cold Cases, True Crime

Rebecca Beard Case: Why I’m Releasing the Rio Witness Account

August 12, 2026 Tammy Rose Leave a comment

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, whose 1986 disappearance remains the focus of an ongoing search for answers — **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 holding her daughter before her 1986 disappearance — **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 standing near Tammy Rose’s Jeep during the Rebecca Beard investigation — **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

Rebecca “Becky” Beard’s personal planner documenting events before her March 1986 disappearance — **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

Remote dirt road leading through the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge, an area referenced in witness accounts and past searches connected to the Rebecca Beard case. — **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 DPS missing person bulletin for Rebecca “Becky” Beard, who disappeared from Freeport, Texas, in March 1986. — **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, sister of Rebecca “Becky” Beard, points out areas she has personally searched while continuing efforts to find her sister. — **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.

Rebecca Beard Part 3: How Witness Statements Changed During the Investigation

July 21, 2026 Tammy Rose Leave a comment

Historic photograph of Paul Taylor’s former Clute home featured in Part 3 of the Rebecca Beard investigation series, examining how witness statements and investigative timelines evolved during the case. — **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

March 1986 police report documenting early witness interviews in the Rebecca Beard investigation, including statements from people who told investigators they did not know Paul Taylor or had never heard Becky mention him. — 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

April 28, 1986 police report documenting witness interviews in the Rebecca Beard investigation, including statements from Jack Hamilton and dancer Mel Scroggins regarding Becky’s movements after leaving the Excalibur Club. — 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

March 13, 1986 police report documenting witness information in the Rebecca Beard investigation, including dancer Mel Scroggins’ account of seeing Becky at Excalibur and later 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 report documenting John Cone’s statement in the Rebecca Beard investigation. The statement describes what Cone said Paul Taylor told him and also details Cone’s own observations after entering Taylor’s home, including that the mattress and carpet were missing. — 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.

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Matt Cone Appears to Corroborate Parts of the Story

Composite police report pages from the Rebecca Beard investigation. The documents include witness statements from Tina, Willie Garcia, and references to Matt Cone, who is identified as John Cone’s brother, as investigators documented interviews and leads in April 1986. — 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 report pages from the Rebecca Beard investigation documenting repeated contacts with Beaver Aplin. The records show Aplin calling investigators for updates on the case and later requesting permission to post a reward while detectives continued following leads.

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.

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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.

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Rebecca Beard Part 2: Early Police Reports Reveal the First Days of the Investigation

July 20, 2026 Tammy Rose Leave a comment

Rebecca Beard Part 2: Early Police Reports Show How the Investigation Evolved

Rebecca Beard disappeared during the early morning hours of March 2, 1986, after spending the previous evening at the Excalibur Club in Freeport, Texas. During the first days of the investigation, detectives worked to reconstruct her final hours by interviewing friends, coworkers, club patrons, and anyone who may have seen her before she vanished.

The earliest police reports provide a snapshot of where the investigation began. At that stage, detectives had not narrowed their focus to one individual. Instead, they documented numerous interviews, followed multiple leads, and worked to establish Rebecca’s last known movements.

Nearly four decades later, those reports remain important because they show how the investigation developed over time.

Detectives Worked to Build Rebecca Beard’s Timeline

Present-day view of the former Excalibur Club building in Freeport, Texas, showing the storefront with boarded windows and the location where Rebecca Beard was last reported seen before her disappearance in 1986. — The former Excalibur Club in Freeport, Texas, as it appears today. Investigators interviewed witnesses who were at the nightclub as they worked to reconstruct Rebecca Beard’s movements during the early days of the 1986 investigation.

One of the first priorities involved determining Rebecca’s movements after she left the Excalibur Club.

Investigators interviewed witnesses who had been with Rebecca that evening or reported seeing her during the early morning hours. Detectives compared those statements in an effort to establish a reliable timeline.

The reports also reference a gold Chevrolet Camaro Z-28. Detectives attempted to identify the vehicle, determine who owned it, and learn whether it played a role in Rebecca’s disappearance.

Those early efforts demonstrate how investigators attempted to preserve every possible lead.

Arch “Beaver” Aplin Was Among the First Witnesses Interviewed

Arch “Beaver” Aplin III speaks during the Buc-ee’s grand opening in Goodyear, Arizona, wearing a white cowboy hat, glasses, and a gray sport coat. — Arch “Beaver” Aplin III at the Buc-ee’s grand opening in Goodyear, Arizona. This image was captured by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose. Aplin was interviewed by investigators on March 5, 1986, during the early stages of the Rebecca Beard investigation.

After Rebecca Beard disappeared, investigators interviewed Arch “Beaver” Aplin on March 5, 1986.

According to the police report, Aplin told detectives the last time he saw Rebecca was the weekend of February 14, when they had dinner together in Galveston. He also said he had called her several times afterward but never reached her.

At that point in the investigation, detectives documented Aplin’s account as one of many witness statements they were using to reconstruct Rebecca’s final movements.

Later Records Raised New Timeline Questions

Investigative synopsis from the Rebecca Beard case showing the section summarizing Tina’s witness statement, including references to Kevin King, Arch “Beaver” Aplin, Bill Russell, Jack Hamilton, and other individuals reportedly at the Excalibur Club on the night Rebecca Beard disappeared. — This investigative synopsis includes a summary of Tina’s witness statement. According to the document, Tina reported seeing Kevin King leave the Excalibur Club with Rebecca Beard before he returned without her. The synopsis also lists Arch “Beaver” Aplin, Bill Russell, and Jack Hamilton as being at the club that night, raising additional questions about the investigation’s timeline.

This is where the investigation becomes more complicated.

A later investigative synopsis documents witness Tina’s account of the night Rebecca disappeared.

According to that synopsis, Tina told investigators Kevin King walked out of the Excalibur Club with Rebecca about 30 minutes before closing and returned approximately two minutes later without her.

The same synopsis also lists Kevin King, Bill Russell, Arch “Beaver” Aplin and Jack Hamilton as being at Excalibur that night.

When compared with Aplin’s March 5 statement that he had not seen Rebecca since February 14, the two records appear to present different timelines.

The investigative records reviewed for this series do not explain how detectives reconciled those accounts.

Arch “Beaver” Aplin Remained in Contact With Investigators

Graphic featuring Arch “Beaver” Aplin III alongside the headline “Arch Aplin Remained in Contact With Investigators” over a background of original Rebecca Beard police records and the former Excalibur Club. — This graphic highlights original police records documenting that Arch “Beaver” Aplin remained in contact with investigators after Rebecca Beard disappeared. The records show detectives continued communicating with Aplin as they worked to reconstruct Rebecca’s final known movements during the 1986 investigation.

The early investigative records also document repeated contact between detectives and Arch “Beaver” Aplin, who had been at the Excalibur Club around the time Rebecca Beard disappeared.

Rather than disappearing from the investigation after giving an initial statement, the reports show Aplin continued communicating with law enforcement in the days and weeks that followed.

According to the investigative notes, Aplin contacted detectives seeking updates on the investigation and asked whether he could publicly offer a $10,000 reward for information leading to Rebecca’s whereabouts.

The records indicate detectives discussed the proposed reward with Aplin while continuing to investigate numerous leads.

Those contacts are significant because they demonstrate that investigators maintained communication with Aplin throughout the early stages of the case. The reports do not indicate that detectives viewed him as someone who had withdrawn from the investigation. Instead, the documented contacts suggest he remained interested in learning whether investigators had developed new information.

The investigative files also reflect that detectives continued interviewing numerous witnesses during this same period, including Rebecca’s friends, coworkers, and individuals believed to have seen her during the weekend she disappeared.

Another Witness Reported Seeing Rebecca Beard at a Surfside Beach Party

Graphic comparing Paula’s witness statement with images of the former Excalibur Club and Surfside Beach. The graphic highlights a police report stating Paula told investigators she saw Rebecca Beard at a Surfside beach party on March 2, 1986. — This graphic highlights Paula’s statement documented in the original police investigation. According to the police report, Paula told investigators she saw Rebecca Beard at a Surfside beach party on March 2, 1986. Her account added another reported timeline for detectives to evaluate as they worked to reconstruct Rebecca’s final known movements.

The original police investigation also documented a statement from another witness, Paula, who told investigators she saw Rebecca Beard at a Surfside beach party on the morning of March 2, 1986.

According to the police report, Paula said she recognized Becky and saw her with two males at the gathering. If her recollection was accurate, it could place Rebecca alive after the time she was believed to have left Excalibur, adding another timeline investigators had to evaluate.

Paula’s account does not prove what happened to Rebecca. However, it is one of several witness statements included in the original case file. When viewed alongside other reported sightings and witness interviews, it illustrates the challenges investigators faced while trying to reconstruct Rebecca’s final known movements.

More than 40 years later, these differing witness accounts continue to raise questions about Rebecca Beard’s disappearance and whether every lead documented in the original investigation was fully reconciled.

The Investigation Was Still Taking Shape

Reading the reports chronologically shows detectives working through dozens of leads while trying to establish Rebecca’s final movements.

Several witnesses interviewed in March 1986 told investigators they did not know Paul Taylor or had never heard Rebecca mention his name. At the same time, detectives continued following information involving several other individuals connected to the case.

These reports should be viewed as a snapshot of the investigation during its earliest weeks. Criminal investigations often evolve as detectives conduct additional interviews, gather new evidence, and revisit earlier leads.

The progression of the Rebecca Beard investigation reflects that process.

Coming in Part 3

The earliest police reports reveal how detectives began piecing together Rebecca Beard’s final known movements through witness interviews, follow-up leads, and investigative records. As the investigation continued, additional witness statements and investigative summaries documented new information and raised further questions.

In Part 3, I examine those later records, including additional witness statements, documented timeline discrepancies, and what they may reveal about the Rebecca Beard investigation nearly four decades later.

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Rebecca Beard Part 1: John Cone, Early Police Reports, and the Investigation
Rebecca Beard Part 3: How the Investigation Continued to Change (Coming Soon)

Investigations, Rebecca Beard, True Crime

Rebecca Beard Case: Why Wasn’t Paul Taylor’s Home Investigated After John Cone’s Report?

July 19, 2026 Tammy Rose Leave a comment

Historic black-and-white photograph of Paul Taylor’s former Clute home, featured in an article examining why investigators did not immediately secure or process the property after John Cone reported an alleged confession in the Rebecca Beard case. — The former Clute home where Paul Taylor lived became a focus of later investigative records after John Cone reported that Taylor allegedly confessed to killing Rebecca Beard. The article examines why available records do not document an immediate crime scene search or forensic processing of the property following that report.

Rebecca Beard Case: Why Wasn’t Paul Taylor’s Home Investigated After John Cone’s Report?

Reviewed by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose

Police records raise new questions

Nearly 40 years after Rebecca “Becky” Beard disappeared, police records raise a question that remains unanswered.

If Sheriff Joe King received details of an alleged confession from John Cone shortly after Becky vanished, why don’t the records reviewed by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose document an immediate search or forensic examination of Paul Taylor’s home?

The question stands out because later investigative summaries describe a series of events that, if accurate, pointed investigators toward Taylor’s residence within days of Becky’s disappearance.

John Cone said Taylor admitted killing Becky

Investigative synopsis from the Rebecca Beard case stating that John Cone told investigators Paul Taylor admitted killing Rebecca Beard, contacted Brazoria County Sheriff Joe King, and asked that both his identity and the account remain confidential. — This investigative synopsis states that John Cone reported an alleged confession by Paul Taylor to Sheriff Joe King shortly after Rebecca Beard disappeared. According to the document, Cone asked King to keep both the information and his identity confidential. The synopsis also states King later advised Freeport Police that Taylor should be investigated, raising questions about what investigative steps followed.

According to a later investigative synopsis, John Cone told investigators that Paul Taylor admitted Becky died inside his Clute home.

Cone’s statement says Taylor claimed he picked Becky up after she left a club, took her to his residence, and that she died after a gun discharged during a struggle.

Taylor allegedly told Cone he cleaned the residence, removed the bed and carpet because they contained blood, and discarded them in dumpsters.

Cone also said he entered Taylor’s home himself and noticed the bed and carpet were gone.

According to the records, Cone then contacted Brazoria County Sheriff Joe King and reported what Taylor allegedly told him.

Cone reportedly offered Sheriff Joe King a key

Investigative document summarizing John Cone’s statement in the Rebecca Beard case. The document states that Paul Taylor allegedly confessed to Cone, that Cone reported the information to Sheriff Joe King, and that Cone offered the sheriff a key to Taylor’s home after noticing the bed and carpet were missing. — This investigative document summarizes John Cone’s account, including his claim that Paul Taylor allegedly confessed to killing Rebecca Beard. According to the document, Cone said he entered Taylor’s home, noticed the bed and carpet were missing, and later offered Sheriff Joe King a key to the residence. The document raises questions about what investigative steps followed after that information reached law enforcement.

One detail stands out in Cone’s statement.

Cone said he offered Sheriff Joe King a key to Taylor’s residence.

He also asked the sheriff to keep both the conversation and his identity confidential.

The investigative synopsis later states that King agreed to keep the information confidential.

According to that same synopsis, Sheriff King informed Freeport Police Chief Charles Bankston on March 14, 1986, that Paul Taylor needed to be investigated but did not relate the details Cone had provided.

Taylor was interviewed that day. The synopsis states investigators learned only that Taylor knew Becky.

Where is the documented crime scene investigation?

The records reviewed by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose do not document that investigators immediately searched Paul Taylor’s residence or processed it as a possible crime scene.

The records also do not document officers collecting physical evidence, photographing the interior, looking for blood evidence, seizing the reportedly missing bed or carpet, or tracing the dumpsters where Taylor allegedly said he discarded evidence.

Those questions remain central to understanding the early investigation. The records reviewed for this report do not document that investigators immediately completed those investigative steps after John Cone reported what Taylor allegedly told him.

Another report raised similar concerns

The records contain another development one month later.

An April 16, 1986 report states the manager of Excaliber Club told investigators about another conversation involving Taylor.

According to the report, another witness claimed Taylor said he picked up a woman from the club, took her home, shot her, buried her body, cut up the mattress and discarded it in dumpsters.

The same report states Matt Cone checked Taylor’s residence and found the bed no longer had a mattress. Cotton stuffing reportedly remained on the floor.

Even then, the records reviewed by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose do not document that officers immediately processed the residence as a homicide scene.

Another inconsistency emerges

Side-by-side images from the Rebecca Beard investigation showing a police report documenting Beaver (Arch) Aplin’s statement, a later investigative summary, and Rebecca Beard’s personal planner. The documents appear to present different timelines about when Aplin last saw Rebecca.

These records compare early police reports, a later investigative summary, and Rebecca Beard’s personal planner. One report states Beaver (Arch) Aplin last saw Rebecca on February 14, while a later investigative summary lists him among witnesses who reportedly saw her at Excalibur on the night she disappeared. The differing timelines raise questions about how investigators reconciled those statements during the investigation.

While reviewing the early investigation, another issue surfaced.

Police reports appear to contain conflicting information about Beaver (Arch) Aplin’s timeline.

One report says Aplin told investigators he had not seen Becky since February 14, 1986.

A later investigative report identifies Aplin as one of several people reportedly present at Excaliber on the night Becky disappeared.

That apparent inconsistency raises another question.

Did investigators ever reconcile those differing accounts?

That question will be examined in Part 2 of this series.

Questions that remain

The records reviewed for this article leave several unanswered questions:

Why wasn’t Taylor’s residence immediately documented as a potential crime scene after John Cone reported an alleged confession?
Did Sheriff Joe King ever use the key Cone reportedly offered?
Were investigators ever able to locate the missing bed, carpet or mattress?
If those items were never recovered, how much potential evidence may have been lost?

Nearly four decades later, those questions remain central to understanding the early investigation into Rebecca Beard’s disappearance.

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Internal links

Why I Traveled to Arizona to Interview Arch Aplin
Rebecca Beard family meeting with investigators

Amazon recommendations

True Crime Investigation Notebook

Keep detailed notes while following complex investigations. A structured notebook makes it easier to compare timelines, witness statements and evidence.

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

Why I Released the Exclusive 2002 Paul Taylor Jr. Confession

July 2, 2026 Tammy Rose Leave a comment

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:

Exclusive: Rebecca Beard’s Daughter Speaks Out Nearly 40 Years After Her Mother’s Disappearance

Questions for Arch Aplin and John Cohn in the Rebecca Beard Case

What the Sealed Documents Reveal in the Rebecca Beard Investigation

How I Reported This Investigation

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.

Shure MV88+ Microphone – Used for interviews and recording clear audio in the field.

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iPhone 16 Accessories – Tripods, mounts, and mobile reporting gear.

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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

June 29, 2026 Tammy Rose Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

Taylor questions renewed interest in the Rebecca Beard case

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

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

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

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

Paul Taylor Jr. comments on investigators

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

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

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

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

Faith remains a central theme

Religion appears throughout nearly every message.

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

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

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

Life inside a Texas prison

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

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

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

Taylor notices new reporting

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

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

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

Investigation continues

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

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

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

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

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

Recommended Reading

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

Recommended Reading: Rebecca Beard & Texas True Crime

The Killing Fields

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Deliver Us by Kathryn Casey

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

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Breaking News, Investigations, Rebecca Beard, True Crime

Paul Taylor Jr. Sends Another Message After Rebecca Beard Blog Is Published

June 28, 2026 Tammy Rose Leave a comment

Another Message Surfaces

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.

Paul Taylor Jr. Interview

Rebecca Beard Investigation

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.

The Texas Killing Fields

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

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

June 26, 2026 Tammy Rose Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

Linda Barnes Refused to Let the Case Go Cold

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

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

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

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

Taylor Describes the Night Becky Disappeared

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

He said they argued after he failed to obtain cocaine.

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

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

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

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

A Shotgun Appears on the Evidence List

A confidential pre-sentence investigation filed before Paul Taylor Jr.’s sentencing. The document was reviewed by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose as part of the ongoing Rebecca Beard investigation. — **Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office evidence sheet listing a Remington Model 1100 shotgun in the Rebecca Beard investigation.**

**Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office evidence sheet listing a Remington Model 1100 shotgun in the Rebecca Beard investigation.**

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

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

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

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

Police Photographs Show Two Holes in the Bedroom Wall

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

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

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

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

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

The Tow Truck Driver Taylor Could Not Remember

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

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

Taylor repeatedly responded that he did not remember the incident.

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

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

Court Notes Reference Possible Remains

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

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

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

A Confidential Court Record

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

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

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

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

Questions That Still Remain

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

Among them:

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

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

Editor’s Note

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

Related Rebecca Beard Coverage

Read Part One:

Read Part Two:

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

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

June 25, 2026 Tammy Rose Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

My First Attempt

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

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

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

Hitting Roadblocks

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

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

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

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

A Breakthrough

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

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

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

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

Continuing the Conversation

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

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

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

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

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

What Would You Ask?

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

Leave your question in the comments below.

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

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

Interested in true crime and cold cases?

Crime& Justice

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

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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

June 19, 2026 Tammy Rose Leave a comment

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.**

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 police report indicates John Cone requested to speak with his attorney before providing a statement to investigators.**

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

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A bestselling investigation into the Golden State Killer case.

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Who Was Rebecca “Becky” Beard?

Who Is the Witness Known as Rio?

The Galveston Weekend in Becky’s Planner

Family Says Evidence Was Presented to a Grand Jury

Rio’s claims are not established facts.

Why Release Rio’s Story?

Someone May Remember Something

They are looking for Becky.

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John Cone’s Statement Became a Turning Point

Matt Cone Appears to Corroborate Parts of the Story

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Arch “Beaver” Aplin Was Among the First Witnesses Interviewed

Later Records Raised New Timeline Questions

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