Kevin Taylor: The Chilling Case of a Serial Killer

Overview

Kevin Taylor, born on June 11, 1974, in Chicago, Illinois, is an American serial killer whose heinous acts between June and August of 2001 shocked the local community. This cold-blooded criminal was responsible for the strangulation deaths of four women, all of whom were engaged in prostitution. Following the survival of a fifth victim, Taylor was arrested and ultimately sentenced to multiple life terms in 2006.

Quick Facts

• Born: June 11, 1974 (age 51)
• Location: Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
• Convictions: First-degree murder (4 counts), Attempted murder
• Criminal Penalty: Life imprisonment
• Victims: 4
• Span of Crimes: June 25 – August 18, 2001
• Date Apprehended: August 21, 2001
• Imprisoned At: Menard Correctional Center, Chester, Illinois

Early Life

Kevin Taylor’s upbringing was far from stable. Born to parents who were both convicts, he was shuffled between various foster homes throughout his childhood. His first brush with the law came in 1993 when he was arrested for burglary, leading to a four-year prison sentence. Fast forward to 1999, and he faced another conviction for the unlawful use of a weapon. By December 2000, Taylor had secured a job as a cook at a Cheesecake Factory on North Michigan Avenue, marking a brief period of normalcy. By the summer of 2001, he was living with his girlfriend and two children in Edwardsville, seemingly trying to lead a conventional life.

The Murders

Taylor had developed a dangerous habit of soliciting prostitutes, which ultimately led him down a dark path. He would approach these women, arrange sexual encounters, and then take them to secluded locations. What investigators found particularly chilling was his pattern of engaging in drug-induced arguments over the cost of sex, which escalated to him violently strangling his victims.

Victims

• Ola Mae Wallace (39): Her body was discovered on June 25, 2001, in an alleyway along North Sheridan Road.
• Diane Jordan (42): Found in an alley on July 10, 2001, in the 1400 block of North Mohawk Street.
• Cynthia Halk (38): Her body was uncovered inside a trash can in an alley on July 29, 2001, at 1150 N. LaSalle Street.
• Bernadine Blunt (39): The last of his confirmed victims, her body was found on August 18, 2001, in an abandoned building at 331 E. Kensington Ave.

One particularly harrowing incident involved Phyllis Robinson (38), who was attacked and strangled on July 27, 2001. Remarkably, she survived the encounter, becoming the only victim to escape Taylor’s deadly grasp.

Investigation and Arrest

By early August 2001, the police were on high alert, issuing warnings to local street women about the string of murders. Investigators were already probing the deaths of up to 18 women involved in sex work dating back to the 1990s. The case took a critical turn when authorities discovered a timecard under the body of Bernadine Blunt that bore Taylor's name.

On August 21, 2001, Taylor was arrested at his workplace. As suspicions mounted regarding the connection between the murders, police sought the only surviving victim, Phyllis Robinson, for identification. During a police lineup, Robinson confidently pointed out Taylor as her attacker.

The evidence against him was mounting. A fingerprint matching Taylor’s was discovered on the trash can where Cynthia Halk’s body was found. This revelation stunned those who knew Taylor; a friend of his girlfriend expressed disbelief, saying, “He just didn’t do all the things they say he did.”

In a chilling twist, Taylor ultimately confessed to the murders, admitting that he became enraged during sexual encounters. He cooperated with the authorities, guiding them to the murder scenes and reenacting his horrific actions.

Trials and Imprisonment

Taylor’s trial commenced in January 2006, focusing on the murder of Cynthia Halk. His defense team took a curious approach, opting not to plead innocence since the jury had already been shown his shocking videotaped confession. The jury found him guilty, sentencing him to 50 years for Halk’s murder.

With the trial for the other three murders looming, Taylor chose to plead guilty to avoid the death penalty. On September 6, 2006, he was convicted on three additional counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. As of 2023, Kevin Taylor remains incarcerated at Menard Correctional Center in Chester, Illinois, identified by the number B52807.

Conclusion

The case of Kevin Taylor serves as a grim reminder of the dark underbelly of urban life and the tragic fate that can befall vulnerable individuals. His story is not just one of a serial killer, but also highlights the complexities of a life marred by instability, choices, and ultimately, violence.

Sources

• "Taylor receives life in prison for 3 murders". Northwest Herald. September 7, 2006.
• "Alleged serial killer gets 50 years in prison". Chicago Tribune. February 3, 2006.
• "Suspect has served time in prison". Chicago Tribune. August 26, 2001.
• Alex Rodriguez & Tom McCann (August 26, 2001). "Woman says she won't forget face of attacker". Chicago Tribune.
• Matthew Walberg, Noreen Ahmed-Ullah & Aamer Madhani (August 27, 2001). "Suspect held in 4 stranglings". Chicago Tribune.
• Jeff Coen (January 11, 2006). "1st murder trial opens for cook accused of killing 4". Chicago Tribune.
• "Alerts expected after 3rd strangulation". Chicago Tribune. August 2, 2001.
• Chicago man is charged in deaths of four women. The Belleville News-Democrat. August 26, 2001.
• Carlos Sadovi (September 6, 2006). "Killer of 3 women in 2001 receives life term". Chicago Tribune.
• "Jury finds cook guilty in 1st of 4 murder cases". Chicago Tribune. January 13, 2006.

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