Episode 4: Earl Taylor
Kohroner Chronicles: The Curious Cases of Earl Taylor
A Legacy of Justice: Dr. Roland Kohr's Unorthodox Career
Dr. Roland Kohr, a distinguished forensic pathologist with decades of experience serving many counties in Indiana and Illinois, has seen more than his share of unusual cases. Though typically called to testify for the prosecution, his expertise has been sought in both civil and criminal defense cases, including cold cases requiring fresh perspectives. One such case involved Earl Taylor, a man whose actions would haunt two generations of Terre Haute residents.
The Death of Earl's Second Wife: A Midnight Drive Turned Deadly
In 1987, Earl Taylor claimed his wife couldn’t sleep one night. His solution? A late-night drive, supposedly to help her relax. After waking their two children, and dropping them off with a babysitter, the couple embarked on a drive that would end in tragedy.
According to Earl, a raccoon darted across the road, causing his wife to swerve their Pontiac Fiero into a pond. Earl escaped but claimed he was unable to free his wife. He ran to a nearby condominium complex for help, conveniently knocking on the door of their church minister. By the time first responders arrived, his wife was dead.
The story quickly unraveled. Investigators found several troubling details:
The driver's seat was pushed so far back that Earl's wife, barely over five feet tall, couldn’t have reached the pedals.
The driver’s seatbelt was jammed into the passenger-side receptacle, and rigged with a coin to prevent release.
Black electrical tape obscured the dome light, making the interior harder to see.
A child's rubber ball had been wedged into the door and steering wheel, locking the wheel in a straight position.
When police recreated the accident several months later, they discovered the car didn’t immediately sink as Earl claimed, but floated for several minutes. Coupled with Earl’s hasty attempt to cash in life insurance policies, the evidence painted a sinister picture.
Earl was convicted of his wife's murder in 1988 and served nearly 20 years before returning to Terre Haute upon release.
A Chilling Pattern: The Mysterious Death of Earl's First Wife
Earl Taylor’s first wife died in 1975 under similarly suspicious circumstances. Earl reported finding her submerged in their bathtub, allegedly electrocuted by a clock radio that had fallen into the water.
The details raised red flags:
The clock radio’s original cord had been replaced with a longer one, likely to reach the bathtub.
Friends reported that Earl’s wife had expressed fear for her life, even warning others to investigate Earl if anything happened to her.
Earl, an insurance agent, had taken out multiple life insurance policies on her, some with forged signatures.
The autopsy conducted by a non-forensic pathologist in the 1970s concluded she drowned but didn’t explore the potential role of electrocution or foul play. Without modern forensic techniques, the case went cold.
Cold Cases Revisited: Television Sparks Renewed Interest
Nearly three decades later, a true-crime production team visiting Terre Haute reignited interest in Earl Taylor’s first wife’s death. Working with local law enforcement, the team revisited the case, uncovering the several inconsistencies and peculiarities that had been overlooked in 1975.
Justice Delayed, But Not Denied
Dr. Kohr’s analysis of the case underscored the critical role forensic pathology played in uncovering truths long buried. Something as simple as patterns of rigor mortis, which as been overlooked by the non-forensic pathologist, indicated that Earl’s version of the circumstances was extremely unlikely. As advancements in technology continue to shed light on old mysteries, cases like Earl Taylor’s serve as a testament to the enduring pursuit of justice.
Earl Taylor’s calculated actions across two marriages revealed a chilling pattern of manipulation, greed, and murder. His second conviction, though decades after his first wife’s death, cemented his legacy as one of Terre Haute’s most infamous criminals.