Erika Hill
Child Abuse Homicide Case
CLASSIFICATION: Murder
LOCATION
Fitchburg, Wisconsin
TIME PERIOD
February 2007
VICTIMS
1 confirmed
On February 26, 2007, the body of 15-year-old Erika Antoinette Hill was discovered in Gary, Indiana, after she was murdered in her home in Fitchburg, Wisconsin. Erika, who had been subjected to long-term abuse by her adoptive mother, Taylin Hill, was asphyxiated and suffered multiple injuries, including stab wounds. Taylin Hill was charged with reckless homicide after Erika's identity was confirmed in 2015, following years of being unidentified. She ultimately pleaded guilty to reduced charges and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. The case highlights a tragic history of abuse and neglect, with significant evidence including the manner of death and the concealment of the body by Taylin and her family.
Taylin Hill is believed to have been responsible for Erika's long-term abuse, which ultimately led to her death by asphyxiation. There are speculations that Taylin may have attempted to cover up the murder, as she showed Erika's body to family members rather than contacting authorities immediately. Some community members also suspect that there may have been additional individuals involved in the abuse or cover-up, given the history of allegations against Taylin.
The Tragic Tale of Erika Hill
In the cold grip of February 2007, a chilling discovery unfolded in the city of Gary, Indiana. The charred remains of a young girl were found at the entrance of a vacant building. Little did anyone know, it would take eight long years before she would be identified, unraveling a story of abuse, betrayal, and justice that began far from where her body was discovered.
The Early Life of Erika Hill
Erika Antoinette Hill was born around 1992 and spent her brief life in Fitchburg, Wisconsin. Her adoptive mother, Taylin Hill—known by some as "Minnie" and "Marie"—was not a stranger but a cousin to Erika's biological mother, Theresa Spiva. Theresa, battling substance abuse issues, had relinquished custody of Erika, and tragically, she passed away in 2009, never to see the justice her daughter would find posthumously.
The household Erika entered was far from a sanctuary. Reports of abuse were rampant, with Erika and other children enduring regular assaults almost daily under Taylin's care. Investigations into these allegations were conducted from 2000 to 2005, but they eventually ceased as authorities failed to maintain contact with Taylin.
The Death of a Young Girl
February 2007 marked the end of Erika's suffering. After enduring prolonged abuse and starvation, the 15-year-old succumbed to a brutal death. It was Taylin who reportedly revealed the grim truth to her sister and daughter, summoning them to witness Erika's lifeless body in the bathroom. The following day, Taylin orchestrated a macabre plan, forcing family members to move Erika's body to the basement, concealing it in a freezer.
Erika had been subjected to vicious beatings, asphyxiated with a cloth, and stabbed, with efforts made to hinder identification by breaking her teeth. Taylin redressed her in cheap clothing, a final indignity before the family transported her body to Chicago. There, under an overpass, Taylin attempted to incinerate the evidence of her crime. Yet, fearing discovery, she relocated the remains to Gary, Indiana, where the body was ultimately found.
During this time, Taylin spun lies about Erika's whereabouts, claiming she had returned to Joliet, Illinois, where she had once lived with a great-aunt who had died in 2001. Despite this, the truth remained hidden, with many in the household too frightened to speak out against Taylin for fear of retribution.
The Discovery and Identification
On February 26, 2007, two brothers stumbled upon the gruesome scene in Gary, reporting to police the sight of charred legs in a derelict building. The condition of the body was horrific, with over 170 scars in various healing stages, cornrowed hair, and a petite frame standing at approximately 5 feet 4 inches and weighing 102 pounds. The remains were erroneously estimated to belong to someone aged between sixteen and twenty-five, dead for just a day.
Visual identification was impossible, prompting the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children to create facial reconstructions in an attempt to give a face to the nameless victim. Despite these efforts, it wasn't until 2015 that Erika's identity was finally uncovered.
A Break in the Case
The breakthrough came when Taylin's own daughter contacted the authorities in Gary, Indiana, on August 7, 2015. Seeking to break the cycle of abuse, she scoured the internet for missing person cases matching Erika's description. Her search led her to the reconstructions that resembled her missing sister. Motivated by a therapy session, she courageously stepped forward, ending years of silence.
In the wake of this revelation, Taylin Hill was arrested on September 14, 2015, facing charges of first-degree reckless homicide and six counts of child abuse. Her trial saw her under suicide watch, with a bond set at $500,000. A preliminary hearing was held on September 22.
Community members were shocked by the charges, as Taylin had previously worked as a special education aide in schools, where she was known for her kindness. She had lost her job in 2006 after failing to return from leave but later returned as a substitute aide in 2013. Her family, however, had long suspected something was amiss with her character.
Justice for Erika
In a twist of legal proceedings, Taylin Hill pleaded guilty in July 2016 to reduced charges, including child neglect and abuse. On November 7, 2016, she was sentenced to 20 years in prison for Erika's death, a verdict that finally closed the chapter on a case that had haunted two states for nearly a decade.
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Erika Hill Dies
15-year-old Erika Hill dies from abuse and asphyxiation.
Body Discovered
Erika's charred body is found in a vacant building in Gary, Indiana.
Identification of Victim
Erika's remains are identified after her adoptive sister contacts police.
Taylin Hill Arrested
Taylin Hill is arrested and charged with first-degree reckless homicide.
Preliminary Hearing
A preliminary hearing for Taylin Hill takes place.
Guilty Plea
Taylin Hill pleads guilty to three reduced charges including child neglect.
Sentencing
Taylin Hill is sentenced to 20 years in prison for causing Erika's death.
On February 26, 2007, the body of 15-year-old Erika Antoinette Hill was discovered in Gary, Indiana, after she was murdered in her home in Fitchburg, Wisconsin. Erika, who had been subjected to long-term abuse by her adoptive mother, Taylin Hill, was asphyxiated and suffered multiple injuries, including stab wounds. Taylin Hill was charged with reckless homicide after Erika's identity was confirmed in 2015, following years of being unidentified. She ultimately pleaded guilty to reduced charges and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. The case highlights a tragic history of abuse and neglect, with significant evidence including the manner of death and the concealment of the body by Taylin and her family.
Taylin Hill is believed to have been responsible for Erika's long-term abuse, which ultimately led to her death by asphyxiation. There are speculations that Taylin may have attempted to cover up the murder, as she showed Erika's body to family members rather than contacting authorities immediately. Some community members also suspect that there may have been additional individuals involved in the abuse or cover-up, given the history of allegations against Taylin.
The Tragic Tale of Erika Hill
In the cold grip of February 2007, a chilling discovery unfolded in the city of Gary, Indiana. The charred remains of a young girl were found at the entrance of a vacant building. Little did anyone know, it would take eight long years before she would be identified, unraveling a story of abuse, betrayal, and justice that began far from where her body was discovered.
The Early Life of Erika Hill
Erika Antoinette Hill was born around 1992 and spent her brief life in Fitchburg, Wisconsin. Her adoptive mother, Taylin Hill—known by some as "Minnie" and "Marie"—was not a stranger but a cousin to Erika's biological mother, Theresa Spiva. Theresa, battling substance abuse issues, had relinquished custody of Erika, and tragically, she passed away in 2009, never to see the justice her daughter would find posthumously.
The household Erika entered was far from a sanctuary. Reports of abuse were rampant, with Erika and other children enduring regular assaults almost daily under Taylin's care. Investigations into these allegations were conducted from 2000 to 2005, but they eventually ceased as authorities failed to maintain contact with Taylin.
The Death of a Young Girl
February 2007 marked the end of Erika's suffering. After enduring prolonged abuse and starvation, the 15-year-old succumbed to a brutal death. It was Taylin who reportedly revealed the grim truth to her sister and daughter, summoning them to witness Erika's lifeless body in the bathroom. The following day, Taylin orchestrated a macabre plan, forcing family members to move Erika's body to the basement, concealing it in a freezer.
Erika had been subjected to vicious beatings, asphyxiated with a cloth, and stabbed, with efforts made to hinder identification by breaking her teeth. Taylin redressed her in cheap clothing, a final indignity before the family transported her body to Chicago. There, under an overpass, Taylin attempted to incinerate the evidence of her crime. Yet, fearing discovery, she relocated the remains to Gary, Indiana, where the body was ultimately found.
During this time, Taylin spun lies about Erika's whereabouts, claiming she had returned to Joliet, Illinois, where she had once lived with a great-aunt who had died in 2001. Despite this, the truth remained hidden, with many in the household too frightened to speak out against Taylin for fear of retribution.
The Discovery and Identification
On February 26, 2007, two brothers stumbled upon the gruesome scene in Gary, reporting to police the sight of charred legs in a derelict building. The condition of the body was horrific, with over 170 scars in various healing stages, cornrowed hair, and a petite frame standing at approximately 5 feet 4 inches and weighing 102 pounds. The remains were erroneously estimated to belong to someone aged between sixteen and twenty-five, dead for just a day.
Visual identification was impossible, prompting the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children to create facial reconstructions in an attempt to give a face to the nameless victim. Despite these efforts, it wasn't until 2015 that Erika's identity was finally uncovered.
A Break in the Case
The breakthrough came when Taylin's own daughter contacted the authorities in Gary, Indiana, on August 7, 2015. Seeking to break the cycle of abuse, she scoured the internet for missing person cases matching Erika's description. Her search led her to the reconstructions that resembled her missing sister. Motivated by a therapy session, she courageously stepped forward, ending years of silence.
In the wake of this revelation, Taylin Hill was arrested on September 14, 2015, facing charges of first-degree reckless homicide and six counts of child abuse. Her trial saw her under suicide watch, with a bond set at $500,000. A preliminary hearing was held on September 22.
Community members were shocked by the charges, as Taylin had previously worked as a special education aide in schools, where she was known for her kindness. She had lost her job in 2006 after failing to return from leave but later returned as a substitute aide in 2013. Her family, however, had long suspected something was amiss with her character.
Justice for Erika
In a twist of legal proceedings, Taylin Hill pleaded guilty in July 2016 to reduced charges, including child neglect and abuse. On November 7, 2016, she was sentenced to 20 years in prison for Erika's death, a verdict that finally closed the chapter on a case that had haunted two states for nearly a decade.
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Erika Hill Dies
15-year-old Erika Hill dies from abuse and asphyxiation.
Body Discovered
Erika's charred body is found in a vacant building in Gary, Indiana.
Identification of Victim
Erika's remains are identified after her adoptive sister contacts police.
Taylin Hill Arrested
Taylin Hill is arrested and charged with first-degree reckless homicide.
Preliminary Hearing
A preliminary hearing for Taylin Hill takes place.
Guilty Plea
Taylin Hill pleads guilty to three reduced charges including child neglect.
Sentencing
Taylin Hill is sentenced to 20 years in prison for causing Erika's death.