MURDER
CASE #: 1981-16
MURDER CASE #: 1981-16
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Donald Archie Taylor

Also Known As:

"Don"

Donald Archie Taylor
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Status:

Open

Date of Offense:

Date of Offense:

Offense Location:

Killeen, Texas

Summary:

On 05/19/1981, Staff Sergeant Donald Taylor had not shown up to his military unit on Fort Hood. His unit sent a member of his unit to locate him at his apartment located at 808 N. 2nd Street. The military member contacted the property manager, and both went to the apartment and discovered the door ajar. Upon further inspection, the door was unsecured, and the property manager discovered Taylor deceased in the bathtub. An autopsy later confirmed Taylor was shot with a handgun.

Vital Statistics

Circumstances of Offense:

05/15/1981 Taylor was last seen by his unit around 3 pm. Taylor was in the process of divorcing his wife of 24 years. They were separated at the time of his death. Taylor had a relationship with a girlfriend at the time, and were living separately locally. 02/12/1981 Taylor had recently obtained a $25,000 life insurance policy in the name of girlfriend. Taylor was estranged from his wife who lived in Carrollton, Texas at the time.

Additional Details:

05/08/1981 Victim and his girlfriend filled out power of attorney paper work in the event either passsed first. 05/16/1981 Girlfriend last spoke with victim. Victim told her he had "compnay" which was code for his wife was in town visiting.

Case Last Updated:

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Timeline of Events

Tuesday, May 19, 1981 11:35am

Representative from unit and landlord discover Taylor.


Tuesday, May 19, 1981 09:00am

Wife calls Taylor's unit again. The staff duty reports that Taylor has not been in today or yesterday either.


Tuesday, May 19, 1981 08:30am

Co-worker says he speaks with Mrs. Taylor who is ascertaining her husbands whereabouts.


Monday, May 18, 1981 08:00pm

Wife says she still had not received a call from Taylor.


Monday, May 18, 1981 12:05pm

Co-Worker stops by Taylor's apartment and knocks-no answer.


Monday, May 18, 1981 09:00am

Wife says she call Taylor's unit to speak with him. She is told he is out for the day-not unusual as sometimes messages were not relayed.


Monday, May 18, 1981 05:30am

Co-worker says that he gets to work and discovers that Mrs. Taylor had been trying to contact him all night.


Sunday, May 17, 1981 07:00am

Taylor goes to his office on Fort Hood for about one hour.


Saturday, May 16, 1981 11:59pm

Wife says she arrives back in Carrollton.


Saturday, May 16, 1981 07:00pm

Wife leaves Killeen to return to Carrollton.


Saturday, May 16, 1981 02:00pm

Taylor wakes from a nap, he and wife walk to store for groceries.


Saturday, May 16, 1981 10:00am

Girlfriend called Taylor asking if he could still help, Taylor told her he could'nt because he had "unexpected company" referring to his wife.


Saturday, May 16, 1981 09:00am

Taylor's wife arrives in Killeen, meets Taylor at his apartment.


Saturday, May 16, 1981 08:00am

Taylor gets off staff duty in the morning.


Friday, May 15, 1981 07:15pm

Girlfriend said Taylor spoke with her on the phone. She asked if he could come over on Saturday to move more furniture.


Friday, May 15, 1981 08:00am

Taylor was on staff duty at his unit from 8 a.m. to the following day 8 a.m.


Thursday, May 14, 1981 11:00am

Taylor helped his girlfriend move furniture at her residence.


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Media Gallery

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Waco Tribune Herald

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Related Vehicles

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1969 Volkswagon Bus

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Case Content Disclaimer: The details on this case page are sourced from numerous locations to include family, friends, news postings and government public releases. Solve the Case, Inc. does not guarantee the accuracy of any content as case pages are living documents that frequently update as case details expand.

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