Tag Archives: Texas Cold Cases

Investigations, Rebecca Beard, True Crime

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

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

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

Reviewed by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose

Police records raise new questions

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

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

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

John Cone said Taylor admitted killing Becky

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cone reportedly offered Sheriff Joe King a key

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

One detail stands out in Cone’s statement.

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

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

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

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

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

Where is the documented crime scene investigation?

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

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

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

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

Another report raised similar concerns

The records contain another development one month later.

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

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

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

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

Another inconsistency emerges

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

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

While reviewing the early investigation, another issue surfaced.

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

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

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

That apparent inconsistency raises another question.

Did investigators ever reconcile those differing accounts?

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

Questions that remain

The records reviewed for this article leave several unanswered questions:

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

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

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Internal links

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

Amazon recommendations

True Crime Investigation Notebook

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

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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.

Carolyn Sosa, Investigations, Rebecca Beard, Terri McDaniels, Texas Cold Cases, Texas Killing Fields, True Crime

Roy Alan Stuart Prison Confessions vs. Public Records

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Composite graphic showing Carolyn Sosa, Terri McDaniels, court records and Joseph Kent McGowen’s prison notebook used to compare Roy Alan Stuart’s alleged prison confessions with historical public records.
Historical records, court documents and Joseph Kent McGowen’s prison notebook are compared to examine which Roy Alan Stuart allegations were already publicly documented and which appear only in McGowen’s account.

What Did Roy Alan Stuart Tell Kent McGowen? Comparing Public Records to Alleged Prison Confessions

By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose

For decades, investigators, journalists and law enforcement agencies have documented Roy Alan Stuart’s criminal history and alleged connections to unsolved murders across Texas.

Years later, former Harris County deputy Joseph Kent McGowen says Stuart discussed many of those crimes while the two were incarcerated together at the Duncan Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

This investigation compares McGowen’s interview with historical newspaper articles, court records and investigative records to separate information that was already part of the public record from allegations McGowen says Stuart shared privately in prison.

Former Harris County deputy Joseph Kent McGowen during an interview with Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose discussing alleged prison conversations with Roy Alan Stuart while incarcerated at the Duncan Unit.
Former Harris County deputy Joseph Kent McGowen describes conversations he says he had with Roy Alan Stuart in prison. This article compares McGowen’s account with historical public records and court documents.

Related Coverage

Kent McGowen discusses Roy Alan Stuart prison confessions

Carolyn Sosa: Roy Alan Stuart and the 1987 disappearance

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What Public Records Already Documented

Texas court records showing multiple Roy Alan Stuart case entries reviewed as part of a comparison between Joseph Kent McGowen’s prison interview and historical public records.
Historical court records reviewed by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose show Roy Alan Stuart’s documented criminal cases and investigations before comparing them with allegations discussed by Joseph Kent McGowen during their time in prison.

Historical newspaper articles, court records and investigative files already linked Roy Alan Stuart to numerous investigations before McGowen’s interview.

Terri Denise McDaniels memorial photo identifying her as an unsolved homicide victim in Pearland, Texas, on October 31, 1986.
Memorial image of Terri Denise McDaniels, whose 1986 homicide is among the historical investigations discussed in comparison with Joseph Kent McGowen’s prison interview about Roy Alan Stuart.

Terri Denise McDaniels, 26, was found dead near Pearland on Nov. 5, 1986. She worked out of Houston’s LaMonte Hotel. Investigators determined she died from strangulation or suffocation, and her homicide remains unsolved.

Historical reports state friends last saw McDaniels leaving the LaMonte Hotel with a white man driving a small, light-blue station wagon.

Less than five months later, investigators found Carolyn Sosa dead in Bastrop Bayou. Like McDaniels, Sosa frequented the LaMonte Hotel and died from strangulation. Historical records identify Sosa as one of the witnesses interviewed during the McDaniels investigation.

Investigators later focused on Roy Alan Stuart in both cases. Records show witnesses identified Stuart as the man who picked up both women, and investigators found Sosa’s fingerprints and hair inside his car. Prosecutors charged Stuart in both murders, but a judge later dismissed the charges. Both homicides remain unsolved.

McGowen also described several additional investigations during his prison interview. Some of those claims could not be independently matched to historical records.

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Potter County Nun Investigation

Handwritten prison notebook page attributed to former Harris County deputy Joseph Kent McGowen containing notes about alleged conversations with Roy Alan Stuart regarding the Potter County nun investigation.
A page from Joseph Kent McGowen’s handwritten prison notebook references the Potter County nun investigation. Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose compared the notes with historical newspaper articles and court records as part of this investigation.

Historical records already identified Roy Alan Stuart as a suspect in the Potter County nun investigation.

McGowen says Stuart later described the case to him in prison and claimed he concealed the victim beneath an overturned cattle trough before investigators eventually returned him to the scene.

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Telephone Road Account Compared to Public Records

July 2023 text message exchange and Carolyn Sosa photo reviewed during the Roy Alan Stuart public records comparison.

A July 2023 text message reviewed by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose shows former Brazoria County investigator Matt Wingo believed the woman McGowen described during his Telephone Road account was Carolyn Sosa.

According to McGowen, Stuart claimed he picked up a Black woman dressed as a cowgirl during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo along Telephone Road before taking her to Brazoria County.

McGowen said Stuart described sexually assaulting the woman, attempting to strangle her with a seat belt before shooting her with a .22-caliber pistol. He also claimed Stuart said a fisherman witnessed the attack from a nearby boat.

Friends told investigators they last saw her leaving the LaMonte Hotel with a man driving a small, light-blue station wagon. Prosecutors later charged Roy Alan Stuart after witnesses identified him as the man who picked up Sosa and investigators found her fingerprints and hair inside his car.

Prosecutors later dismissed the murder charge.

McGowen also described additional details that do not appear in the historical records reviewed for this story.

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Alleged Murder-for-Hire Involving a Deputy Constable

Exclusive graphic featuring Roy Alan Stuart’s mugshot with the text “Roy Alan Stuart” and “Died on May 10, 2019.
Roy Alan Stuart died May 10, 2019, while in the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

McGowen claimed Stuart said someone paid him about $3,000 to kill a deputy constable.

McGowen says Stuart claimed the deputy used a wheelchair and lived on the same property as Stuart near a junkyard.

McGowen’s handwritten notes also contain the entry:

“Lived w/ BC Constable & family from ’82-’84 yrs.”

The notebook does not identify the deputy constable or explain whether that notation relates to the alleged murder-for-hire.

Handwritten prison notebook page by Joseph Kent McGowen containing notes about an alleged murder-for-hire involving a deputy constable and other conversations attributed to Roy Alan Stuart.
A page from Joseph Kent McGowen’s prison notebook referencing an alleged murder-for-hire involving a deputy constable and other notes McGowen says Roy Alan Stuart discussed while they were incarcerated together.

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Tomball Kidnapping and Murder

McGowen says Stuart described abducting a woman from a Tomball bar before murdering her.

According to McGowen, Stuart claimed his mother and sister later helped hide clothing connected to the killing.

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Bodies Allegedly Dumped Near the Brazos River

McGowen says Stuart described disposing of numerous bodies behind a trailer near the Brazos River.

According to McGowen, Stuart remarked, “You don’t know what crabs would do to a body.”

McGowen also says Stuart claimed a barge later struck and destroyed the dock near the property where the bodies had allegedly been dumped.

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Alleged Murders With a .22-Caliber Pistol

McGowen says Stuart claimed several women were killed with the same .22-caliber handgun before the weapon was later burned inside a red Pontiac Fiero after multiple killings, with the vehicle’s location remaining unknown.

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Women Near a Community College

McGowen says Stuart mentioned women disappearing around a local community college but did not identify any victims by name or provide dates.

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Alleged First Homicide at Age 10

McGowen says Stuart claimed his first homicide occurred when he was 10 years old.

According to McGowen, Stuart said his father forced him to beat an uncle to death in Arkansas after accusing the man of sexually abusing chickens.

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Other Allegations Discussed

McGowen’s interview also included allegations involving:

An aggravated kidnapping victim who allegedly escaped naked to the neighboring home of a deputy sheriff, leading to Stuart’s arrest.

Stuart allegedly attempting to drown his wife in Arkansas.

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Comparing McGowen’s Account to Public Records

Comparing McGowen’s interview with historical records reveals two distinct categories of information.

Many of the investigations discussed—including Carolyn Sosa, Terri McDaniels, Linda Kay Simmons and the Potter County nun investigation—were already documented through historical reporting, court records and investigative files before McGowen’s interview.

Other allegations, including the deputy constable murder-for-hire, the Tomball account, the Brazos River disposal site, the alleged first homicide at age 10 and several other prison stories, were not located in the historical records reviewed for this comparison.

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Editor’s Note

This article compares statements made by former Harris County deputy Joseph Kent McGowen during a prison interview with historical newspaper articles, court records and investigative records reviewed by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose. The purpose of this comparison is to distinguish information that had already been documented in the public record from allegations McGowen says Roy Alan Stuart shared with him while the two were incarcerated. The comparison reflects the records reviewed for this investigation and is not intended to establish the truth of any allegation discussed in McGowen’s interview.

Related Reading

If you’re interested in unsolved crimes, investigative reporting, or the history of serial homicide investigations, you may also enjoy these books:

Who Killed These Girls? by Beverly Lowry

The Cases That Haunt Us by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Purchasing through affiliate links helps support future investigations at no additional cost to you.

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

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

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

Investigator Matt Wingo Raises Questions About Roy Alan Stuart Prison Journal Story

Before publishing my interview with former Harris County deputy Kent McGowen and his handwritten prison journals about convicted serial killer Roy Alan Stuart, I contacted investigator Matt Wingo seeking an interview and comment.

I did not receive an interview before my publication deadline.

After the story was published, Wingo text messaged and emailed me several times expressing concerns about the accuracy of information contained in McGowen’s journals. Although one of his text messages stated he did not want further contact, he continued sending additional emails outlining what he believes are significant factual problems.

Why I Reported the Story the Way I Did

The messages document that Wingo and McGowen communicated. They do not independently establish that every claim discussed in those communications is accurate.

July 13, 2023 text message exchange between investigator Matt Wingo and former Harris County deputy Kent McGowen discussing Roy Alan Stuart, an estimated homicide count, and follow-up on investigative records.
July 13, 2023 text message exchange between investigator Matt Wingo and former Harris County deputy Kent McGowen discussing Roy Alan Stuart, an estimated homicide count, and follow-up on investigative records.

July 13, 2023 text message exchange between investigator Matt Wingo and former Harris County deputy Kent McGowen discussing Roy Alan Stuart. The messages include discussion of an estimated homicide count and references to reviewing additional investigative records.

One issue readers should understand is the homicide count.

Before publication, I had seen a July 2023 message between Wingo and McGowen in which Wingo wrote:

“I have him killing 14 but that’s light, what we know about.”

However, because I was unable to interview Wingo before publication, I did not feel it was appropriate to publish his estimate as fact without giving him the opportunity to explain how he reached that number.

Instead, I reported what Kent McGowen told me during my interview and clearly identified him as the source of those statements. Throughout my reporting, I repeatedly noted that many of the claims contained in McGowen’s journals remain unverified.

Editor’s Note – July 10, 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, text messages and other correspondence. Upon reexamining the journals, I determined I had incorrectly interpreted some entries as documenting in-person meetings as I had previously interpreted.

The underlying claims in this article remain attributed to Kent McGowen’s interview and handwritten journals unless otherwise noted. As with the original publication, these allegations have not been independently verified by this news organization.

Additional Documents Reviewed

Composite image showing excerpts from Kent McGowen’s handwritten prison journals documenting communications with investigators regarding Roy Alan Stuart.

Excerpts from Kent McGowen’s original handwritten prison journals referencing communications with investigators and agencies regarding information he said Roy Alan Stuart shared while they were incarcerated together.

In addition to the handwritten journals, I also reviewed text messages, emails, and other communications exchanged between Matt Wingo and Kent McGowen regarding Roy Alan Stuart as part of this reporting.

The Questions That Remain

Several important questions remain unanswered.

Which Texas Ranger or Rangers were referenced in McGowen’s journals?

Can the journal entries regarding investigator communications be independently corroborated through public records or other witnesses?

Which portions of the journals can be independently verified?

Which claims cannot currently be verified?

Are there additional public records that support or contradict McGowen’s account?

I intend to continue reporting on these questions as more information becomes available.

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More Resources

If stories about cold cases, victims, and investigative journalism matter to you, these books and reports may also be helpful.

📚 The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk

📚 While the City Slept by Eli Sanders

📰 Read my original investigation:

Exclusive: Roy Alan Stuart Prison Confessions Revealed

Why I Fight So Hard for Victims: The Story I’ve Never Shared

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase through my affiliate links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my independent investigative journalism.

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

Roy Alan Stuart Investigator Messages Revealed

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

New Messages Show Multiple Law Enforcement Officials Responded to Kent McGowen Regarding Roy Alan Stuart Information.

By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose

Additional text messages obtained during my investigation into Roy Alan Stuart show Kent McGowen exchanged text messages with multiple law enforcement officials after providing information from his prison journals.

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

FBI Safe Streets Task Force Acknowledged the Request

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

Hansen wrote:

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

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

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

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

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

John Blankenship Responded to McGowen’s Information

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

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

Blankenship wrote:

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

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

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

Texas Ranger Contact

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

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

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

What the Messages Show

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

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

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

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

Continuing Investigation

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

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

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

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Recommended Reading

📚 The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule

The Stronger Beside Me

📚 Mindhunter by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker

Mindhunter

Related Investigations

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

Related Coverage

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

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Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase through my affiliate links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my investigative journalism.

Investigations, Jodi Arias, Life Stories on Film, Rebecca Beard, Texas Cold Cases, True Crime

Why I Fight So Hard for Victims: The Story I’ve Never Shared

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Tammy Rose hiking with a friend before sharing the personal story that inspired her investigative reporting and advocacy for crime victims.
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

Wisconsin court records and victim notification documents preserved by Tammy Rose years after her criminal case, illustrating the lasting impact of surviving sexual assault.
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 walkway during the Jodi Arias sentencing retrial where testimony related to the State Bar proceedings was taking place.
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

Texas Department of Public Safety Missing Persons Bulletin for Rebecca Jean Beard, issued during the investigation into her disappearance.
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

Memorial image of Terri Denise McDaniels, an unsolved homicide victim from Pearland, Texas, whose case remains unsolved.
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.

Recommended Reading

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk

The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker

More Investigations by Tammy Rose

Rebecca Beard: No Body. No Weapon. My investigation into the 1986 disappearance and the unanswered questions that remain.

Roy Alan Stuart Prison Journals: Former Harris County Deputy Kent McGowen shares chilling prison confessions that could help solve cold cases.

Breaking News, Investigations, Texas Cold Cases, True Crime

Former Deputy Documents Alleged Roy Alan Stuart Confessions

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By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose

How An Unlikely Prison Friendship Began

Former Harris County deputy Kent McGowen says one of the most unexpected chapters of his life began while serving a prison sentence in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

McGowen was convicted in the 1992 murder of Susan White and spent 19 years in prison before he was paroled. Since his release, he has spoken publicly about his case and his time in prison, including conversations he says he had with convicted serial killer Roy Alan Stuart.

According to McGowen, he spent nearly two years housed near convicted serial killer Roy Alan Stuart, where the two developed an unlikely relationship that led to conversations about alleged unsolved murders across Southeast Texas.

McGowen says he carefully documented those conversations, typed formal reports, and later turned the information over to multiple law enforcement agencies.

I have not independently verified Stuart’s alleged prison statements or whether they resulted in any solved criminal cases.

An Unlikely Prison Conversation

McGowen told me that most inmates avoided Stuart, describing him as someone who appeared exactly how many people would imagine a serial killer.

After noticing Stewart sitting alone, McGowen said he bought him a pint of ice cream and a soft drink from the prison commissary.

According to McGowen, that simple act led Stuart to begin discussing murders he claimed to have committed throughout Texas.

“Nobody would talk to Roy,” McGowen said. “After that, he just started talking.”

McGowen said one reason he began paying close attention was because Stuart showed him what McGowen recalls was a letter that Stuart claimed had been written by attorney Tom Selleck. According to McGowen, Stuart also claimed Selleck represented him at the time. Selleck currently serves as the Brazoria County Criminal District Attorney and previously worked as an assistant district attorney before entering private practice. I have not independently verified the letter, its authenticity, or Stuart’s claim regarding the alleged legal representation.

Claims Of Additional Victims

Historical 1994 Victoria Advocate newspaper clipping reporting Roy Alan Stuart’s arrest in Brazoria County and describing his criminal history.
Historical newspaper clipping from The Victoria Advocate (May 1994) reporting Roy Alan Stuart’s arrest in Brazoria County. The article states Stuart had been investigated in multiple homicide and sexual assault cases. Included for historical context alongside Kent McGowen’s interview.

McGowen alleges Stuart described several killings that were never publicly connected to him.

Among the stories McGowen recalls were allegations involving:

A woman allegedly abducted from Houston during rodeo season.

A victim allegedly killed near a waterway in Brazoria County.

Bodies allegedly disposed of in or near the Brazos River.

Additional killings Stuart allegedly discussed involving Southeast Texas.

McGowen says Stuart showed no remorse while recounting the alleged crimes.

Documenting Every Conversation

Rather than relying on memory, McGowen says he immediately began documenting the conversations.

He kept handwritten notes while incarcerated before later typing formal reports describing what Stuart allegedly told him.

McGowen says he eventually forwarded those reports to multiple law enforcement agencies, including investigators in several Texas counties.

“I wanted to document everything while it was still fresh,” McGowen said.

Investigators Later Contacted Him

According to McGowen, investigators later reached out requesting copies of his notes.

He says an FBI agent also contacted him after learning about the reports and asked to review the journals because they reflected his contemporaneous observations while Stuart was allegedly making the statements.

McGowen says he continues to maintain copies of those writings today.

Questions Still Remain

Whether Stuart’s alleged prison statements can ever be verified remains unknown.

At this time, I have not found any publicly available records that independently confirm the additional alleged victims described by McGowen.

However, McGowen believes investigators considered the information important enough to request his documentation years after the conversations took place.

As part of my continuing coverage, I am preparing additional public records requests to determine what investigative steps, if any, followed McGowen’s submissions.

This remains an active reporting project. If you have firsthand knowledge related to Roy Alan Stuart or the investigations discussed in this article, contact me through ChopperRose.com

Related Coverage

Convicted Former Deputy Says He Was Framed — But Key Questions Remain (coming soon)

Rebecca Beard Investigation: Exclusive Interviews And Court Records

Texas Killing Fields: Continuing Coverage

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Amazon Recommendations

Books About Serial Killers

Whoever Fights Monsters by Robert K. Ressler

Mindhunter by John E. Douglas

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

Tim Miller: James Elmore Jr. Repeatedly Claimed There Was ‘Another Girl’ in Texas Killing Fields Investigation

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CID investigators gather near Calder Road during the Texas Killing Fields search
Investigators gather near Calder Road during the latest search connected to the Texas Killing Fields investigation.

LEAGUE CITY, Texas — As search teams return to Calder Road in the area known as the Texas Killing Fields, Tim Miller says one statement from James Elmore Jr. stayed with him for years.

In a full interview with Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose, Miller said Elmore repeatedly told him there was “another girl” connected to the case.

The search comes decades after the murders of Laura Miller, Audrey Cook, Heidi Villarreal-Fye, and Donna Prudhomme, whose cases became known nationwide as the Texas Killing Fields murders.

Tim Miller on James Elmore Jr.

Tim Miller during an interview discussing James Elmore Jr. and the Texas Killing Fields investigation
Tim Miller discusses information provided by James Elmore Jr., including claims that led investigators back to Calder Road during the latest Texas Killing Fields search.

According to Miller, Elmore brought up the possibility of another victim during conversations that stretched over several years.

“You know, ever since the girls were found, I always wondered if there were more girls out there,” Miller said.

Miller said Elmore contacted him about four years ago and repeatedly returned to the same claim.

“He always said, ‘There’s another girl out here. There’s another one out here.’”

Miller acknowledged that Elmore sometimes struggled to remember details from decades ago.

“He would say it was 38 years ago and he did so much dope back then,” Miller said.

However, Miller said information Elmore provided in other areas of the investigation continued to check out.

“Everything else he told me ended up being true,” Miller said.

Why Investigators Returned to Calder Road

Recovery site at the Texas Killing Fields where victims were found along Calder Road in League City, Texas
A memorial stands near Calder Road in League City, where several victims linked to the Texas Killing Fields investigation were discovered.

Miller said investigators and search teams agreed the information was significant enough to justify another search.

The current operation is focused on looking for evidence connected to one additional possible victim.

Miller cautioned that recovering evidence more than four decades later remains extremely difficult.

“The bad news is it’s 42 years later,” Miller said. “The chances of finding it are very, very slim.”

Claims Involving Clyde Hedrick

Memorial sign displaying photos of Texas Killing Fields victims Laura Miller, Audrey Cook, Donna Prudhomme, Heidi Fye, and Ellen Beason
A memorial sign honors several victims connected to the Texas Killing Fields, including Laura Miller, Audrey Cook, Donna Prudhomme, Heidi Fye, and Ellen Beason.

During the interview, Miller also discussed information Elmore shared about convicted killer Clyde Hedrick.

One example involved a small cemetery that Laura Miller reportedly visited.

Miller said Elmore showed investigators where Hedrick allegedly hid and watched Laura.

“Nobody knew Laura went there,” Miller said. “That was her little peaceful place.”

Miller said details such as that convinced him Elmore possessed information that was not widely known.

Full Interview

The full interview includes Tim Miller’s discussion about:

Why investigators returned to Calder Road

The search for one additional possible victim

Information provided by James Elmore Jr.

Claims involving Clyde Hedrick

Other locations previously searched during the investigation

Watch the full interview below.

Related Coverage:

• Texas Killing Fields: New Search Underway on Calder Road

Interested in learning more about the history of the Texas Killing Fields and other unsolved Gulf Coast murder cases? These books provide additional background and context.

Deliver Us: Three Decades of Murder and Redemption in the Infamous I-45 Texas Killing Fields — Kathryn Casey’s deep dive into the Texas Killing Fields and the victims whose cases remained unsolved for decades.

Murder in the Bayou — Examines another notorious series of unsolved murders and investigative failures along the Gulf Coast.

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