January 22, 2006
Blakely- A Blakely man leads Alabama authorities to the spot where he dumped the body of his neighbor early Saturday morning. Twenty four year old Thaddeous Taylor is now facing charges of murder and armed robbery. Taylor was staying with the family living next door to 55 year old Lucy Major.
Taylor is being held in the Dothan City Jail on an outstanding warrant for driving without a license in 2005, but he's also facing murder and armed robbery charges in Major's death. Dothan Police say, they're unsure of the exact circumstances surrounding Taylor's arrest, but afterward, he was questioned in the disappearance of the former Mayoral Candidate Lucy Major. Houston County Coroner Robert Byrd says Major was killed in her Blakely home.
Early Saturday morning, Taylor led police and the coroner to the remote area where he dumped Major's body. It was a wooded area off Highway 84 in Houston County outside of Gordon. Byrd said Taylor drove three quarters of a mile into the woods and dumped Major's body wrapped in a quilt into a ravine filled with about six inches of water. A weapon believed to be associated with the crime was also found behind the Winn Dixie along Highway 84.
In Blakely, neighbors along South Flowers Street are shocked at the news.
"The neighborhood is a lot of folks, and kind people and Friday night it got dark since Friday night, and it doesn't seem like the same neighborhood," said Kearria Ricks, a neighbor.
Crime tape still surrounds Major's home. Major is said to have been beaten and had one apparent stab wound. An autopsy is scheduled MOnday in Georgia to determine her exact cause of death.
Dothan Police say Taylor would likely be in court next week on the driving without a license charge and then would be turned over the Early County Sheriff's office.
Investigators say Taylor stole Major's 2005 Chrysler, and that's how police were able to track him down.
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