John and Janet Taylor

John and Janet Taylor (Submitted photo)

John and Janet Taylor

Double Homicide

John Budd Taylor, 54 YOA
Janet Faye Taylor, 52 YOA
2223 E. Maple
Des Moines, IA
Polk County
Case # 1999-29020
August 3, 1999

 

Case summary by Jody Ewing

 
John and Janet Taylor — both in their 50s — were found dead in their burning home early on Tuesday morning, August 3, 1999. At about 2:30 a.m., firefighters found the couple’s bodies in a bedroom. Both had been stabbed to death.

The Taylor homeCourtesy photo Google Street View
The 2223 East Maple St. Des Moines home where John and Janet Taylor were stabbed to death.

Police said it appeared the fire may have been set to cover up the crime.

A neighbor, Brian Porter, broke through a side window and used a garden hose to help put out the flames.

The fire caused extensive damage to the bedroom and another room of the house.

John Taylor, 54, was a custodian with the Iowa Department of Transportation in Ames, while Janet, 52, was retired from the accounts payable department at a former NationsBank office.

About John and Janet Taylor
Janet Taylor

Janet Taylor (Submitted photo)

John Budd Taylor was born March 24, 1945 in Des Moines to Myrtle Rose Todd and George Thomas Taylor.

Janet Faye (McKeehan) Taylor was born August 19, 1946 in Des Moines to Robert Lee and Cleta Mae (Stewart) McKeehan.

The couple had three children: Lori Lynn, Rose Ann and George Thomas (Tommy).

The Taylors were buried at the Laurel Hill Cemetery in Des Moines.

Information Needed
john-and-janet-taylor-gravestoneCourtesy photo Katie Lou, findagrave.com
John and Janet Taylor are buried at the Laurel Hill Cemetery in Des Moines.

If you have any information about this unsolved double homicide, please contact the Des Moines Police Department at (515) 283-4864.

If you have any photos of John or Janet Taylor (or family photos with their children) you’d like to share for inclusion here, please email them to Jody. Appropriate credit will be given for all submitted photographs.

Sources:

 

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8 Responses to John and Janet Taylor

  1. So appreciate the work you do on this program!

  2. Judy Childress-Jackson

  3. Lori says:

    There is so little information regarding leads or someone being spotted that night. I hope the police are blessed with new leads and a murderer is caught at last.

  4. Rose Sayles says:

    We miss you Mom and Dad.

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