Polk County in Iowa

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.

Courtesy photo Google Street View

The East Maple Street home in Des Moines where John and Janet Taylor were found 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.

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.

Courtesy photo Katie Lou, findagrave.com

John and Janet Taylor were buried at the Laurel Hill Cemetery in Des Moines.

The couple was buried at the Laurel Hill Cemetery in Des Moines.

Information Needed

If you have any information about this unsolved double homicide, please contact the Des Moines Police Department at (515) 283-4864. You may also send additional information about this case to Iowa Cold Cases. Photos of John and Janet Taylor would be particularly welcome.

Sources:

• Des Moines Police Department
• Find a Grave Memorial for Janet Faye Taylor
• Find a Grave Memorial for John Budd Taylor
• Ancestry.com
• “Couple found dead in burning home; case being investigated as homicide,” Cedar Rapids Gazette, August 4, 1999
• “Couple found in burning home stabbed to death,” Carroll Daily Times Herald, August 5, 1999