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
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
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.
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
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.
Keep detailed notes while following complex investigations. A structured notebook makes it easier to compare timelines, witness statements and evidence.
⸻
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Your support helps fund my investigative reporting and allows me to continue researching and publishing stories like this one.
Thumbnail for my investigation into why I tracked down Rebecca Beard witness Cherie “Rio” Starr and the questions her account raises about one of Brazoria County’s longest-running cold cases.
When I interviewed Rebecca Beard’s sister, Carol Mize, I expected to learn more about the ongoing search for Becky’s remains and the questions that still surround the case.
Paul Taylor Jr. pleaded guilty to Rebecca Beard’s murder in 1995. However, Becky’s body has never been found.
A photograph of Rebecca Beard featured alongside new details shared by her sister, Carol Mize, during an interview about the investigation and the questions that continue to surround Becky’s disappearance.
Instead of discussing only the search, Carol shared details from a witness deposition that stopped me in my tracks.
The witness, Cherie “Rio” Starr, described two shooters, a duck hunting box, and an alleged effort to conceal Becky’s remains.
Some of those claims appeared to overlap with information that had been discussed publicly over the years. Other claims seemed extraordinary.
I did not know what to believe.
As a journalist, I knew I had to ask the witness my own questions.
Watch Carol Mize’s chilling interview about the alleged duck box.
Why I Decided to Find Cherie Starr
One question stayed with me.
If someone witnessed what Starr later described in her deposition, why wait decades to report it?
I also wanted to know whether investigators could verify any part of her account.
Rebecca’s family believed her allegations deserved to be investigated. I wanted to hear directly from the person making those claims.
That is what journalists do.
We ask questions.
Why I Waited to Tell This Story
When I knocked on Starr’s door, her identity had not been made public.
Because of that, I chose not to report her name or write about what happened that day.
I believed that was the fair and responsible decision.
Since then, Rebecca’s family has publicly discussed Starr. Brazoria County District Attorney Tom Selleck told the family that investigators do not currently consider her a credible witness.
That announcement could affect future investigative steps, including whether authorities continue searching locations connected to Starr’s allegations.
Now readers deserve to understand why I went looking for her in the first place.
What Carol Mize Told Me
Carol described allegations that were difficult to forget.
According to Carol, Starr claimed Becky was shot by two different people using two different guns.
Carol also said Starr described a duck hunting box and an alleged attempt to move and hide Becky’s remains.
The allegations were graphic.
If true, they could have changed the direction of the investigation.
They also raised obvious questions.
Why did no one hear this story for decades?
Why had the witness waited so long to come forward?
Those were the questions I wanted to ask.
Knocking on Doors Is Part of Journalism
During more than 30 years as a reporter, I have knocked on hundreds of doors.
Sometimes people answer questions.
Sometimes they decline.
Sometimes they close the door.
That is part of investigative journalism.
I introduced myself and asked Cherie Starr if she would answer a few questions about the Rebecca Beard case.
She told me she had no comment.
I thanked her and walked back to my Jeep.
What Happened When I Knocked on Cherie Starr’s Door
After knocking on Rebecca Beard witness Cherie “Rio” Starr’s door, I was issued a criminal trespass warning. I later requested the responding deputies’ body camera video through a public records request so readers can see what happened for themselves.
As I prepared to leave, Cherie Starr ran outside with another man.
They demanded to know who had given me her name.
I told them I never reveal confidential sources. Protecting sources is part of my job.
During the encounter, Starr said she was calling the district attorney, investigator Matt Wingo, and former DA investigator John Blankenship.
However, only local law enforcement officers responded to the scene.
According to my recollection, Starr then stood behind my Jeep while continuing to question me.
I did not believe I could safely back up while someone stood behind my vehicle.
I stayed where I was until deputies arrived.
They investigated the situation for about two hours.
Before I left, deputies issued me a criminal trespass warning and told me not to return to the property.
Why I Requested the Body Camera Video
I do not expect readers to rely only on my account.
That is why I requested the deputies’ body camera footage through the Texas Public Information Act.
As of today, I am still waiting for those records.
When I receive the footage, I will publish it so readers can watch the encounter and reach their own conclusions.
Transparency matters.
Why This Story Matters
Today, investigators have told the family they do not consider Starr a credible witness.
That does not change why I knocked on her door.
At the time, Rebecca’s family believed her allegations were important enough to investigate. I believed they were important enough to question.
I was not trying to prove Cherie Starr right.
I was not trying to prove her wrong.
I wanted answers.
That is my job.
Investigative journalism means asking difficult questions, even when those questions make people uncomfortable.
Whether readers agree with my reporting or not, I believe they deserve to understand why I knocked on Cherie “Rio” Starr’s door.
If you enjoy my investigative reporting, please consider checking out the books and gear I recommend for journalists and true crime readers.
Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
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.
⸻
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.
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.
⸻
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.
⸻
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.
⸻
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.
⸻
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.
⸻
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.
⸻
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.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
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.
⸻
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.
⸻
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.
⸻
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.
⸻
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.
⸻
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.
⸻
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.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
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
If you’re interested in the Rebecca Beard investigation and other Texas cold cases, these books provide additional background and context. Purchasing through the links below helps support my independent reporting at no additional cost to you.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my independent journalism and investigative reporting.
Just days after I published previously released messages from Paul Taylor Jr., another communication arrived in the recipient’s inbox.
The recipient asked to remain anonymous because of concerns about unwanted attention in Brazoria County. I reviewed the original message before publishing this report and agreed to protect the recipient’s identity.
“I’m Hoping This One Will Make You Dig Deep Again”
The latest message does not contain a confession or new details about Rebecca Beard’s disappearance. Instead, Taylor continues using spiritual language while suggesting there is more he cannot discuss.
Among the statements included in the email:
“There is so much I cannot tell you.”
“The Holy Spirit is doing unbelievable things.”
“I’m hoping this one will make you dig deep again??”
Taylor also writes that he is “going through the fire” before telling the recipient to “enjoy the ride.”
A Continuing Pattern
This message follows other communications I previously reported on involving Taylor.
While the email does not offer new evidence in the Rebecca Beard investigation, it continues a pattern of messages in which Taylor hints at information without providing specific facts.
To protect the recipient’s privacy, I redacted identifying information from the published screenshots at the recipient’s request.
Related Coverage: Read my previous reporting on the Rebecca Beard investigation and Paul Taylor Jr.’s earlier communications.
Recommended Reading: If you’re interested in unsolved Texas murder cases, these books provide additional background through my Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
