Paul Taylor Jr. booking photo from the investigation into the 1986 disappearance and murder of Rebecca Beard. His recent prison messages are compared with statements discussed during a meeting with Rebecca Beard’s family regarding legal representation.
Rebecca Beard Family Questions Statements About Paul Taylor and Legal Representation
An autographed 1985 photo of Rebecca Beard inscribed, “To John, Love Always, Becky Beard.” The image is included in the Beard family’s article examining conflicting accounts about Paul Taylor Jr. and legal representation.
The family of Rebecca Beard says newly reviewed prison messages from Paul Taylor raise questions about statements made during a meeting with Brazoria County officials regarding legal representation and the Texas Innocence Project.
According to Rebecca Beard’s sister, Carol Mize, family members met with officials to discuss developments in the decades-old murder case. During that meeting, participants discussed whether Taylor had been offered legal representation.
Carol Mize Says Officials Claimed Paul Taylor Declined Legal Representation
According to Carol Mize, participants at the meeting stated that Paul Taylor had been offered legal representation but declined the offer.
That statement prompted questions from the Beard family after reviewing messages Taylor later sent from prison.
Paul Taylor’s Messages Tell a Different Story
Screenshots of prison messages sent by Paul Taylor Jr. that are compared with statements discussed during a meeting with Rebecca Beard’s family regarding legal representation and the Texas Innocence Project.
In a message provided to the Beard family, Taylor wrote:
“I HAVE NO ATTORNEY OR FUNDS!”
He also wrote:
“NO ONE HAS EVER CONTACTED ME ABOUT RIGHTS, HELP, OR TEXAS INNOCENT PROJECT!!”
Taylor added that he was unaware of a sealed case document, writing:
“DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT CASE SEALED…”
In a more recent message to Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose, Taylor wrote:
“I MEAN NO DISRESPECT TO YOU and (REDACTED) ! BUT I’LL GIVE A STATEMENT WHEN THIS IS OVER!!”
Conflicting Accounts Raise New Questions
Carol Mize says officials stated Paul Taylor declined legal representation that had been offered to him. Taylor’s prison messages later presented a different account, raising new questions in the Rebecca Beard case.
According to Carol Mize, officials stated during the meeting that Paul Taylor declined legal representation that had been offered to him.
Taylor’s own written messages present a different account. In those messages, he states that he has no attorney, no funds, and was never contacted about rights, legal help, or the Texas Innocence Project.
At this time, Tammy Rose has not independently verified which account is accurate. The article reflects statements made during the meeting, as described by Carol Mize, alongside Taylor’s own written messages.
Editor’s Note
This article is based on statements made during a meeting attended by Rebecca Beard’s family, as described by Carol Mize, and on messages attributed to Paul Taylor. The statements represent differing accounts and are presented to accurately reflect what each party said.
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If you enjoy following long-term investigations and behind-the-scenes reporting, check out the gear I personally use in the field and while traveling.
If you’re fascinated by unsolved mysteries and criminal investigations, browse my collection of recommended true crime books covering some of the most compelling cases ever investigated.
Former Deputy Kent McGowen Responds to Susan White 911 Call, Allegations Before 1992 Shooting
By Investigative Reporter Tammy RoseThe Interview
More than three decades after the fatal shooting of Susan White, former Harris County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Kent McGowen is publicly responding to allegations White made before the shooting, including claims she voiced during calls to 911.
In an exclusive interview with Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose, McGowen discussed the August 25, 1992 shooting, disputed allegations that he sexually harassed White, addressed why she repeatedly mentioned his name and shared courtroom demonstration photographs that he says support his version of events.
The interview pairs portions of White’s 911 call with McGowen’s current account, allowing readers to compare both versions of events.
Viewer Note: This story contains discussion of a fatal officer-involved shooting and includes portions of a 911 call that some readers may find disturbing.
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Before entering law enforcement, Kent McGowen served in the U.S. Air Force. He later worked as a Houston police officer and Harris County deputy before the Aug. 25, 1992, fatal shooting of Susan White that led to two criminal trials and his eventual conviction.
Background not the Case
Before beginning his law enforcement career, Kent McGowen served in the United States Air Force.
After leaving the military, he joined the Houston Police Department before later serving with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. During his career, he received commendations and officer recognition awards.
After serving in the U.S. Air Force, Kent McGowen joined the Houston Police Department before later serving with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Background on the Case
Before beginning his law enforcement career, Kent McGowen served in the United States Air Force.
After leaving the military, he joined the Houston Police Department before later serving with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. During his career, he received commendations and officer recognition awards.
McGowen’s career changed forever on August 25, 1992, when deputies serving a felony warrant fatally shot Susan White at her home.
A jury convicted McGowen of murder in his first trial. An appellate court later overturned that conviction. A second jury convicted him in 2002. He ultimately served approximately 19 years in prison before his release in 2021.
Book About the Case
Journalist Jerry Langton later examined the case in Reasonable Doubts: How Rumor and Innuendo Convicted Deputy Kent McGowen of Murder. The book explores the investigation, the two trials and McGowen’s conviction.
In addition to the trial record, Kent McGowen has provided investigative records and expert reports that he says support his account of the shooting.
Among the records McGowen provided is a forensic review by consulting forensic scientist Dr. Edward E. Hueske.
Hueske prepared the review during McGowen’s legal proceedings.
McGowen also provided a statement he wrote at the request of Harris County Assistant District Attorney Baldwin Chin, then chief of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office Post Conviction Integrity Review Unit, during the office’s review of his case in 2011–2012.
According to McGowen, the statement summarizes the case and his account of events as they existed during the Harris County District Attorney’s Office Post Conviction Integrity Review in 2011-2012.
After two criminal trials stemming from the Aug. 25, 1992, fatal shooting of Susan White, Kent McGowen was ultimately convicted of murder. He served approximately 19 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice before his release in 2021.
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Watch the Full Investigation
The television report below includes exclusive interview excerpts with Kent McGowen, courtroom demonstration photographs and additional background on the Susan White case.
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Listen to Susan White’s 911 Call
The audio below captures one of Susan White’s calls to 911 before deputies entered her home.
During the recording, White repeatedly asks dispatchers for help and expresses fear as deputies remain outside the residence.
The call contains emotional language and may be disturbing to some listeners.
Susan White’s 911 Call Before Deputies Entered The Home
The video and audio above include one of Susan White’s 911 calls before deputies entered the home.
During the recording, White repeatedly asks dispatchers for help while describing people outside her home.
The recording contains emotional language that some listeners may find disturbing.
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McGowen Strongly Disputes White’s Allegations
Kent McGowen while serving with the Waller County Sheriff’s Office at age 19, before joining the Houston Police Department pending completion of his background investigation.
During his interview with Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose, McGowen firmly denied White’s allegations.
According to McGowen, he never sexually harassed White, never stalked her and never had the repeated contacts she described.
“I had never pulled her over. I’d never spoken to her,” McGowen said during the interview.
McGowen believes White confused him with another deputy who previously worked in the area.
He told Tammy Rose that investigators later uncovered witness statements he believes support that explanation.
According to McGowen, White mistakenly identified him after seeing him during the arrest of her son and others connected to a burglary investigation.
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Why Did White Know McGowen’s Name?
Susan White. Investigators and former Deputy Kent McGowen have offered differing explanations for why White repeatedly mentioned his name before the August 25, 1992, shooting.
One of the questions surrounding the case is why White repeatedly mentioned McGowen by name before the shooting.
McGowen offered his explanation during the interview.
He said White arrived at the scene after deputies arrested her son and began asking officers who “McGowen” was.
According to McGowen, several deputies pointed in different directions while trying to identify him, causing White to approach multiple officers before eventually speaking with him.
McGowen believes that encounter explains why she later knew his name.
He disputes claims that he had an ongoing personal conflict with White before the shooting.
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McGowen Says White Mistook Him for Another Deputy
McGowen also challenged allegations that he repeatedly stopped or harassed White before the shooting.
Instead, he told Tammy Rose that another deputy had previous contact with White and believes she mistakenly associated him with those earlier encounters.
McGowen said he never received phone calls from White, never contacted her outside official duties and never had a personal relationship with her.
He also pointed to subpoenaed telephone records that he says failed to show communication between them.
Those statements reflect McGowen’s account. Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose continues reviewing court records, witness statements and other documents connected to the case.
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McGowen’s Description of White’s Condition
McGowen also discussed White’s condition while deputies attempted to serve the warrant.
According to McGowen, White appeared to be slurring her speech as deputies tried to communicate with her through the front door.
He told Tammy Rose he believed White was impaired and described her behavior as confused and erratic.
McGowen said those observations influenced how he interpreted her actions that morning.
His statements represent his account of the encounter and should not be interpreted as independent findings of fact.
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The Warrant That Led to the Shooting
Left to right: Confidential informant Michael Shaffer, Susan White and Jason Aguillard, Susan White’s teenage son.
According to McGowen, deputies went to Susan White’s home to serve a felony retaliation warrant after investigators alleged she threatened a confidential informant connected to a burglary investigation.
McGowen said he first attempted to obtain the warrant during the overnight hours but claimed a judge was unavailable to sign it. He returned the following morning with the approved warrant and several deputies to serve it.
He told Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose that deputies knocked on the front door for several minutes, repeatedly identified themselves as members of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and asked White to come outside.
According to McGowen, White refused to open the door.
McGowen said deputies eventually forced entry after obtaining permission from a supervisor.
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McGowen Describes What Happened Inside
According to McGowen, deputies entered the home and began clearing rooms while searching for White.
He told Tammy Rose he saw White move through the house toward a bedroom. He followed her and said she picked up a handgun after entering the room.
McGowen said he ordered White three times to drop the weapon.
He claims White raised the handgun toward him and began placing her finger on the trigger.
Believing his life and the lives of the other deputies were in danger, McGowen fired three shots.
He has consistently maintained that he acted in self-defense.
Prosecutors disputed that version of events during both criminal trials.
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Courtroom Demonstration Photos
Former deputy Kent McGowen recently provided Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose with these courtroom demonstration photographs, which he says were used during legal proceedings to illustrate his version of the Aug. 25, 1992, fatal shooting of Susan White. The images reflect McGowen’s account and are presented for context alongside court records, the 911 call, and his interview.
McGowen recently provided Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose with courtroom demonstration photographs that he says were used during legal proceedings to explain his version of the shooting.
Several photographs include handwritten descriptions showing where McGowen says he was standing, where White was positioned and where he believes the handgun came to rest after the shooting.
Other images illustrate the angle from which he says he observed White inside the bedroom.
The photographs are not crime scene photographs. Instead, they are courtroom demonstrations created to illustrate McGowen’s account during litigation.
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One Issue Continues to Draw Attention
One issue discussed during Tammy Rose’s interview involved which hand White used to hold the handgun.
McGowen maintains White pointed the weapon with her right hand before he fired.
During the interview, Tammy Rose asked McGowen about reports indicating White was left-handed.
McGowen stood by his account and said the position of the handgun after the shooting matched what he remembered seeing inside the bedroom.
That issue remains one of several points that have been debated for years.
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McGowen Says Jurors Never Heard Everything
During the interview, McGowen repeatedly argued that jurors never heard all of the evidence he believes supports his account.
He pointed to witness statements, subpoenaed records and other documents that he says were unavailable or never fully presented during trial.
McGowen also criticized how the case was investigated and prosecuted.
Those claims have not been independently verified by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose and remain part of McGowen’s account of the case.
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Two Trials, Two Different Juries
The Susan White case was presented to two different juries.
McGowen’s first murder conviction was later overturned on appeal, resulting in a new trial.
Following that second trial, another jury convicted McGowen of murder in 2002.
He ultimately served approximately 19 years in prison before his release in 2021.
Since leaving prison, McGowen has continued speaking publicly about the shooting and maintains he acted lawfully while serving the warrant.
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Why Revisit the Susan White Case Now?
More than 30 years after the shooting, Kent McGowen continues to challenge the conclusions reached during his criminal case.
Since his release from prison in 2021, he has participated in interviews, worked with author Jerry Langton on a book about his case and continues to review court records and investigative documents.
His recent interview with Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose offers readers an opportunity to hear his account in his own words while comparing those statements with court records, courtroom exhibits and the 911 call placed by Susan White.
As with any decades-old criminal case, many questions remain disputed.
Tammy Rose will continue reviewing court records, witness statements and other documents connected to the investigation as additional records become available.
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Editor’s Note: This article includes court records, historical documents, portions of Susan White’s 911 call, and an interview with Joseph Kent McGowen. McGowen disputes allegations made against him before the shooting. The interview is presented so readers can review his response in full.
This interview is part of an ongoing investigative series examining Kent McGowen’s criminal case and new claims he has made since his release from prison.
Readers can also follow Tammy Rose’s continuing investigation into McGowen’s allegations involving convicted serial killer Roy Alan Stuart.
Thumbnail for the exclusive interview featuring retired deputy Kent McGowen, convicted serial killer Roy Alan Stuart, and a real handwritten notebook page provided by McGowen. McGowen says the journals document alleged conversations with Stuart while they were incarcerated together.
Former Deputy Documents Alleged Roy Alan Stuart Confessions in Secret Prison Journals
Before serving about 19 years in prison, Kent McGowen worked as a Harris County deputy. McGowen says it was during his incarceration that he met Roy Alan Stuart and began documenting the conversations that became the basis of his prison journals and investigative notes.
By Tammy Rose | Investigative Reporter
For nearly two years inside a Texas prison, former Harris County deputy Kent McGowen says he got to know convicted serial killer Roy Alan Stuart. What began as casual conversations became something McGowen says he could not ignore.
McGowen says Stuart described murders, body disposal sites and victims who had never been publicly connected to him. McGowen feared he would forget the details, so he secretly documented the conversations in composition notebooks, handwritten journals and investigative timelines.
The former Harris County deputy shared those journals, notebooks and supporting documents publicly for the first time.
Over the past several weeks, I interviewed former Harris County deputy Kent McGowen, reviewed hundreds of pages of handwritten prison journals and supporting documents, and examined records related to the claims discussed in this article.
Editor’s Note – July 11, 2026
After Investigator Matt Wingo contacted me to point out factual errors in my original article, I reexamined Kent McGowen’s original handwritten journals. During that review, I determined that I had misinterpreted several entries involving investigator communications. The journals document communications between Kent McGowen and investigators—including letters, telephone calls, emails, and other correspondence—but they do not establish that Investigator Matt Wingo or the other investigators personally met with Kent as I had previously interpreted. Those sections have been corrected to more accurately reflect the original handwritten journals.
The allegations and information presented throughout this article remain attributed to Kent McGowen’s interview and handwritten journals unless otherwise noted. As with the original publication, these claims have not been independently verified by this news organization.
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Why McGowen Started Writing Everything Down
Former Harris County deputy Kent McGowen spent about 19 years in prison, where he says he lived near Roy Alan Stuart for nearly two years and began documenting the conversations that became the basis of his handwritten prison journals.
Watch my exclusive interview as Kent McGowen describes chilling details he says Roy Alan Stuart confessed to while the two were incarcerated together.
McGowen served about 19 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice after a jury convicted him in the 1992 murder of Susan White.
McGowen says he spent nearly two years housed in what he described as a converted shipping container with more than a dozen other inmates, including Stuart.
According to McGowen, most inmates avoided Stuart because of his reputation.
“If you think what a serial killer looks like, that’s the picture that pops into your mind,” McGowen told me.
Eventually, the two men started talking.
According to McGowen, those conversations changed everything.
He says Stuart described crimes, victims, locations and methods in extraordinary detail. McGowen believed much of the information had never become public.
Instead of relying on memory, McGowen quietly wrote down what Stuart told him. He used composition notebooks, handwritten journals and investigative timelines whenever he had the opportunity.
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Secret Prison Journals
One page from Kent McGowen’s handwritten prison journals. McGowen says he wrote many of the notes covertly while incarcerated with Roy Alan Stuart to preserve details he believed investigators should review. The handwritten entries are published as source material and have not been independently verified by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose.
McGowen says he often wrote the notes late at night after speaking with Stuart. Poor lighting and the need for secrecy made many pages difficult to read decades later.
He never intended to publish the journals.
Instead, McGowen says he created a personal record of conversations he hoped investigators would eventually review.
As time passed, he expanded the project. He created typed investigative summaries, organized his notes and added details as additional memories surfaced.
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Original Notebook Pages
Additional Documents
During our interview, McGowen said the journals document conversations and allegations involving convicted serial killer Roy Alan Stuart while the two men were incarcerated together.
I am publishing the journals as source material for transparency. I have not independently verified every allegation they contain. Readers should not interpret their publication as confirmation that every claim is true.
I published the notebook pages as McGowen provided them, except for minor adjustments that improve readability.
Readers can compare the original handwritten journals with McGowen’s later typed investigative summaries to better understand the chronology he documented.
What Stuart Told McGowen
According to McGowen, Roy Alan Stuart eventually grew comfortable talking about his past. McGowen says Stuart began describing crimes he claimed to have committed.
The conversations continued for nearly two years while both men served time in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. McGowen worried he would forget important details, so he recorded the conversations in handwritten prison journals. Later, he organized the information into typed investigative summaries and timelines.
McGowen’s notes include allegations involving additional victims whom public records have never linked to Stuart.
One entry identifies Linda Kay (White) Simmons. McGowen says Stuart claimed responsibility for killing her in 1971 after prison officials released him following the killing of another victim also named Kay.
Another entry describes a woman McGowen says Stuart claimed was thrown from a bridge into Austin Bayou. McGowen writes that Stuart described the location during one of their conversations.
McGowen also documented allegations involving a constable he says Stuart claimed to have killed. During my interview with McGowen, he said Stuart identified the person as a law enforcement officer who later used a wheelchair.
Copy of a handwritten notebook page provided by Kent McGowen. Entries appear to reference a junkyard, an “ex constable,” and the Alvin area between 1982 and 1984. Portions of the handwriting are difficult to decipher.
One handwritten notebook page also appears to reference a junkyard, an “ex constable,” and the Alvin area between 1982 and 1984, although portions of the handwriting are difficult to decipher. McGowen says he later shared this information with retired Brazoria County investigator Matt Wingo and referenced additional details involving Austin Bayou in his prison notes.
Screenshot of a July 2023 text conversation in which retired veteran investigator Matt Wingo discusses reviewing Kent McGowen’s prison notes related to convicted serial killer Roy Alan Stuart. The exchange is published as source material. Its contents have not been independently verified by me.
Additional Allegations Documented in McGowen’s Notes
According to McGowen’s handwritten notes and his 2023 correspondence with retired investigator Matt Wingo, Stuart allegedly described numerous additional crimes during nearly two years of conversations in prison. They include:
McGowen’s notes state that Stuart claimed his first killing occurred when he was about 10 years old. According to the notes, Stuart alleged his father restrained Stuart’s paternal uncle and ordered him to beat the man to death with a baseball bat.
The notes also describe an allegation that Stuart murdered a nun in Potter County and concealed her body beneath a cattle water trough.
Another allegation in McGowen’s notes is that Stuart claimed he kidnapped a woman in Tomball.
The notes also reference additional alleged homicide victims, body disposal locations, and other crimes Stuart reportedly described during nearly two years of conversations in prison.
The allegations above have not been independently verified by me. They are published because they appear in McGowen’s contemporaneous notes and correspondence, which investigators previously acknowledged reviewing.
Could Terri Denise McDaniels Be One of the Cases?
Terri Denise McDaniels was found murdered in Pearland on Oct. 31, 1986. Her homicide remains unsolved.
McGowen’s notes include an allegation that Roy Alan Stuart claimed he murdered a young girl in Brazoria County after allegedly being paid approximately $3,000 by the victim’s mother for life insurance proceeds.
At this time, I have not identified any public records linking Roy Alan Stuart to McDaniels’ homicide, and no official connection has been established.
While researching the case, I found online discussions in which some members of the public have speculated that Stuart could have been responsible for McDaniels’ unsolved killing. Those online discussions are not evidence and do not establish a connection.
Because McDaniels’ homicide remains unsolved and McGowen’s notes describe an alleged unidentified victim in Brazoria County, I am continuing to examine whether any records or witnesses support—or refute—a possible connection.
Investigators Acknowledged Receiving the Information
Additional notebook entries reference unidentified victims, possible body disposal sites and locations McGowen believed investigators should review.
No public records confirm Stuart’s involvement in these additional cases.
I included the material because it appears throughout McGowen’s handwritten journals, investigative summaries and supporting documents.
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Efforts to Alert Investigators
McGowen says he never intended for the prison journals to remain hidden.
After leaving prison, he organized his handwritten notes into typed investigative summaries. He says he shared portions of that material with investigators in hopes they would examine the information further.
The emails, text messages and documents included in this article show McGowen’s efforts to preserve the information and seek additional review. They do not independently verify the allegations themselves.
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State Records Confirm Roy Alan Stuart Died in Prison
Official Record: The Texas Attorney General Custodial Death Report below confirms Roy Alan Stuart died on May 10, 2019, while in the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The report lists his manner of death as natural and identifies lung cancer as the medical cause of death.
While reviewing McGowen’s records, I also obtained an official Texas Attorney General Custodial Death Report confirming Roy Alan Stuart died on May 10, 2019, while in the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
The report states Stuart was 71 years old. He died while receiving hospice care at the Michael Unit in Anderson County. It lists lung cancer as the medical cause of death and classifies the manner of death as natural.
McGowen told me Stuart appeared to disappear from the public TDCJ inmate roster after he began providing information to investigators in 2019. According to McGowen, Stuart later appeared under a different unit assignment before state records ultimately confirmed his death.
What Remains Unverified
Many of the allegations contained in McGowen’s journals and investigative summaries have never been independently verified.
Some involve crimes for which Stuart was never charged, while others identify alleged victims, disposal sites or additional homicides that are not reflected in publicly available court records.
Throughout this investigation, I have distinguished between information supported by public records and allegations McGowen attributes to Stuart during their time incarcerated in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Readers should not interpret publication of these documents as confirmation that every allegation is true. Instead, the records are being published so readers can examine the original material alongside the reporting as this investigation continues.
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Investigation Continues
Over the coming weeks, I will continue reviewing prison journals, handwritten notes, investigative timelines and correspondence provided by McGowen.
Public records requests remain pending. I also continue seeking comment from current and former law enforcement officials mentioned throughout this investigation.
The records are being published so readers can examine the original material.
McGowen believes the journals preserve years of conversations investigators should examine. Time will determine whether those allegations lead to new evidence or simply become part of the historical record.
Do You Have Information?
Do you have information related to Roy Alan Stuart or any case discussed in this investigation?
Send documentation, photographs, court records or firsthand information that could help verify or refute claims in McGowen’s journals.
Email Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose at chopperrose@msn.com
Editor’s Note: This article contains allegations documented in Kent McGowen’s prison journals, handwritten notes and correspondence. Unless otherwise noted, these allegations have not been independently verified by me and should not be interpreted as established fact.
If you’re interested in learning more about Roy Alan Stuart and other notorious Texas crime cases, browse my recommended true crime books in my Amazon storefront.
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Tammy Rose shares the personal journey that inspired her lifelong commitment to fighting for victims.
Why I Fight So Hard for Victims: The Story I’ve Never Shared
By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose
Why I’m Sharing This Now
People often ask why I spend so much time filing public records requests, interviewing grieving families, and refusing to give up on cold cases.
The answer isn’t found in a newsroom.
It’s found in one of the most painful chapters of my own life.
Long before I became an investigative reporter, I became a victim.
For years, I kept this story private because of the shame, embarrassment, and fear that followed.
Today, I’m sharing it because I hope it helps others understand why I fight so hard for victims.
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I Didn’t Want to Report the Crime
The person who sexually assaulted me wasn’t a stranger.
He was someone my family knew and trusted.
After it happened, I didn’t want to report the crime.
I was embarrassed.
I was ashamed.
Like many victims, I blamed myself.
I wanted to pretend it had never happened.
It was my former husband who convinced me to go to law enforcement. He told me that if I didn’t report the crime, he would.
Looking back, I’m grateful he encouraged me to speak up.
At the time, it felt impossible.
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The Trial Changed My Family Forever
Going through the criminal justice system was one of the hardest experiences of my life.
During the trial, I learned the defendant had previously been convicted in another sexual assault case involving a child under the age of 14 and had served a much shorter sentence.
That realization was heartbreaking.
The case also divided my family.
One of the most painful moments was watching my own sister testify for the defense.
My father blamed me for what had happened.
Losing the support of people I loved was devastating.
The verdict ended the criminal case.
It did not end the pain.
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The Papers I Never Threw Away
Court records and victim notification letters I kept for years—documents that reminded me the criminal case ended, but the journey as a victim did not.
Recently, I opened a folder I hadn’t looked at in years.
Inside were Wisconsin court records, sentencing documents, and a Wisconsin Department of Corrections victim notification letter informing me the offender would one day be released from prison.
Holding those papers again reminded me that victims often carry a case long after the courtroom is empty.
The documents aren’t just legal records.
For me, they represent years of healing.
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Years Later, I Had to Defend My Truth Again
Courthouse during the Jodi Arias sentencing retrial, where my reporting ultimately led to State Bar proceedings that resulted in my deposition years after my own criminal case had ended.
Years after my criminal case ended, I was covering the Jodi Arias sentencing retrial as a reporter.
During my reporting, I uncovered information that led me to file a complaint with the State Bar of Arizona regarding prosecutor Juan Martinez.
As part of that disciplinary process, I was deposed.
During that process, records from my own criminal case became part of the deposition and were made public. As a victim, it was devastating to see deeply personal parts of my past become public record years after I believed I had finally moved forward.
I never imagined my own past would become part of those proceedings.
During the deposition, my background was examined, including the sexual assault case from years earlier. My credibility was challenged, and I felt as though I was once again defending one of the most painful experiences of my life.
For years, I had been afraid to speak up.
Then something changed.
I remember saying, “The judge and jury believed me. If you disagree with that, take it up with them.”
It was the first time in a long time that I truly stood up for myself.
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Why I Fight So Hard for Victims
Official Texas DPS Missing Persons Bulletin for Rebecca Jean Beard, documenting her disappearance before Paul Taylor Jr. later pleaded guilty in the case despite her remains never being recovered.
Every records request I file…
Each family I interview…
No cold case is just another story.
Every difficult question I ask…
Is driven by one purpose: finding the truth.
I know what it feels like to wonder if anyone will believe you.
I’ve experienced losing relationships because I told the truth.
Years later, my credibility was questioned over events from my past.
Those experiences shaped the reporter I am today.
Victims deserve compassion.
Families deserve answers.
The truth deserves to be pursued—even when it’s uncomfortable.
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To Every Victim Reading This
Terri Denise McDaniels was murdered in Pearland, Texas, on October 31, 1986. Her homicide remains unsolved. Every unsolved case represents a family still waiting for answers and justice.
Maybe you’ve been afraid to report a crime.
Perhaps someone blamed you for something that wasn’t your fault.
Or maybe you’ve wondered whether anyone would believe you.
You are not alone.
Sharing this story isn’t about reliving the past.
It’s about explaining why I continue fighting for victims every single day.
I can’t change what happened to me.
But I can make sure my experiences help someone else find the courage to speak.
As long as I have a voice, I’ll keep fighting for those still searching for justice.
That’s why I fight so hard for victims.
Continue Reading
If you’d like to learn more about trauma, healing, and the importance of seeking justice for victims, you may also find these resources helpful.
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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.
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.
Emergency crews respond after a deadly crash involving an 18-wheeler on Interstate 10 inbound near Highway 6 in west Houston. Photo: Tammy Rose
Two Deadly Crashes Snarl Traffic Across West Houston
Two deadly crashes kept first responders busy across west Houston Wednesday morning, shutting down major roadways and creating long traffic delays.
The first crash happened around 5 a.m. on the inbound lanes of Interstate 10 near Eldridge Parkway.
According to authorities, an 18-wheeler and another vehicle collided, causing a fire. Two people died at the scene.
Investigators closed all inbound lanes near Dairy Ashford while crews worked to clear the wreckage. Traffic backed up for several miles, stretching toward Kingsland Boulevard during the morning commute.
Police pursuit ends in fatal Highway 6 crash
Emergency crews investigate a deadly crash following a police pursuit on southbound Highway 6 near the Westpark Tollway in west Houston. Photo: Tammy Rose
A second deadly crash occurred on Highway 6 southbound near the Westpark Tollway.
Photos from the scene show heavy damage to both an HPD patrol vehicle and another vehicle following what authorities described as the end of a police pursuit.
Officials confirmed the incident was fatal. Based on available information, the deceased was not the Houston police officer. Authorities have not yet released additional details about the person who died or the events leading up to the crash.
The investigation remained active as officers documented the scene and worked to reopen the roadway.
Investigation continues
Authorities continue investigating both crashes. Additional information, including the identities of those involved, is expected after next-of-kin notifications and the completion of the preliminary investigations.
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
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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.
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