Taylor Behl Homicide

Update: Just heard a detective on an O'Reilly replay say Fawley failed a lie detector test earlier this week.

An investigator on the news this evening said he felt they had been investigating a homicide all along. Steve Huff at The Dark Side has a chilling scenario for the crime.

I don't necessarily disagree - but I always try to stay away from speculation when I can. I am going to give it some thought but this is still puzzling me.

"I'm going to do something highly illegal," she confided. "an early birthday present."

If the fellow she is alleged to have made that statement to is on the level, I can't help but wonder just what it was she had in mind. It has to at least be considered that Fawley might have enticed her with a try at heroin, or some other hard drug. I don't know. But if she made that statement when it has been claimed, it's hard to see how it isn't related. I can't believe the kid she is alleged to have made it to never asked.

But then I'm nosey as hell. Check out Steve's scenario, then my extended coverage can be found here.

Comments

[blues]

Dan,
One thought I had was that perhaps it was that she and Benw ere planning to steal a car - and then driving it out to Mathews County. Maybe Ben had planned all along for the killing, but maybe not. Perhaps the Nissan is involved.

[cricket]

I can't imagine that Fawley's lawyer would allow him to take a polygraph.

[absynth_minded]

Snuff movies are illegal....

[Carrie]

I read she had used drugs before so I don't think she would be calling any drug use highly illegal.. I'm 34 but did have my fair share of that when I was a teen and once you try one- none are considered illegal anymore because in that mindset not much is.. So you have to go farther than drug use in speculating what she was going to do assuming Kevin is even telling the truth. In my opinion, he probably isn't..

[anon]

Snuff film? If true, I want to BE THERE when Virginia switches the electric current to "ON" for these animals

[#7]

I wonder whether the "highly illegal" thing could have been arson? Perhaps Ben had talked her into burning down an abandoned farmhouse, which might not be a hard sell since no one would really get hurt from it. Maybe she chickened out once they got there and something happened or maybe Ben's intention at the farmhouse was never really arson, just an excuse to get her there.

[Carrie]

I am thinking that he didn't kill Taylor there now since her body was found in a bag.. I want to know more about the blood found on his boxspring now..

[Cindi in PA]

I want to know more about the blood found on his boxspring now..

Posted by: Carrie | Oct 7, 2005 12:43:24 AM

don't think we will be hearing much about evidence just yet. The police if they have it, use it as an upper hand, one piece at a time.

[julie]

It has been stated that Taylor was somewhat naive and overly trusting but would she honestly divulge the fact that she was going to do something illegal to someone she only met 4 times in her life?

[iris]

I'm a student at VCU as well and am pretty much the same age as Taylor and from my perspective, when I heard her statement about doing something "highly illegal" for an "early birthday present" the first thing that came to mind was doing something sexual with Ben. I've talked about this to many of my peers who are also the same age and their first assumptions were the same as mine. Who's to say she had ever had sex with Ben before that night? She was 17 and he was 38. Maybe Ben had convinced her to try something sexually that she thought she might really like and just couldn't wait till she was "legal" to do it. Some hardcore bondage maybe? I don't know.. it just seems like a lot of older people assume she was talking about drugs when she spoke of doing something "highly illegal" but that just doesnt sound right to me.. maybe I just don't get out enough, but I just don't know anyone my age who would get excited and actually "plan ahead" to go shoot some heroine or take some meth for an early birthday present.. but I DO on the other hand know a lot of horny girls (forgive me for being frank) who have no problem with being openly happy or even excited about a good lay.. besides, I thought I read somewhere (in her livejournal or myspace maybe?) that she didnt do drugs or drink..

[bmt]

Iris, I thought the highly illegal part and the switch in license plates might be related.--sounded like more than sex to me. wouldnt hardcore bondage be labeled high dangerous not highly illegal. she's your age not mine, so your thoughts are great. thanks.

[absynth_minded]

I really like your insight, Iris!

My only question is whether you would refer to having sex with an older man as being "highly illegal?"

For me, that kind of goes against the whole "I'm in such a hurry to be an adult," vibe that I get from what little I do know about Taylor.

Also, I find it difficult to think of anyone even thinking of Ben as an older man...

We know Ben is a petty crook, likes fire, and bondage... My guess it's one of those three or one of those three were used as a lure.

Also, I'm sad that we know all about a dirtbag like Ben, but so little about Taylor. :(

[Margaret]

i think the comment regarding 'highly illegal' probably has to do with stealing a car -- kudos to the person who suggested this, above. or maybe, less likely, it has to do with setting a fire.

imo - it seems a likely scenario that fawley could have convinced her to take an innocent 'joy ride' with some stolen car.

i don't think she would have used 'highly illegal' to refer to drugs. people who use recreational drugs don't think of them as 'highly illegal'. same with sex with an older guy -- she's not going to say, oh, i'm having sex (or s/m) with this older guy and it's 'highly illegal'.

anyway - it probably has something to do with stealing a car, imo.

[Simon]

Snuff films? Bondage?

I know friend's of Taylor's family (not Taylor's family itself), and I hate to see all this bizarre speculation. Taylor was a good kid, she got involved with a sociopath, and had no idea. Whatever she considered "highly illegal" was, I have no doubt, nothing we would consider "highly" illegal.

Whatever she meant, some mother fucker did make her final experience "highly illegal". She was a kid thinking she going to have fun - not killed and dumped in a ditch.

Whatever she meant, and whatever bad choices she made, don't forget her. She was a beautiful, for-the-most-part happy girl, and for her family and friends this is devastating. And for those of us trying to support her family and friends, the game this has become to many of you is disheartening.

[complex brian]

just my two cents here...i havent discussed this case a lot but i have followed it pretty extensively. the reference to s&m/bondage is possible, but then that is not illegal, under the assumption that it is consensual and what this kid is saying about taylor's comments is true. if her body was found in a bag, i do not believe this is where she had died or was murdered. i think its far more likely that the switching the license plates has something to do with the illegal activity that she may have been referencing to and as much as i hate to say it, she could have very well been up to no good with whoever she was with. drugs could be possible but i have no idea how to fit that into a scenario and i think that most people who do drugs don't think of it as breaking the law. in all likelihood, there was probably a combination of the above things that took place that night. that's not to say she has any less rights as a victim of a crime herself, which she clearly is. my thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.

[mikey]

Snuff films? Bondage?

no doubt.. well said Simon..

next we'll hear of her mom and dad being involved in satanic practices or something.. sheesh..

[AkekoaHoAlethia]

Whose birthday was coming up? Was is taylor's or ben's?

[mikey]

dan.. RE Speculation..

i wholeheartedly agree.. i sent a comment to huff about that.. it is one thing to 'speculate' and another to 'impugn' so to speak.. one thing i had enjoyed in steve's writings was his uncanny eye for things - yet staying detached from things as it were.. in my opinion, he has abandoned that perspective for 'better ratings' as they say.. sad..

[mikey]

taylors bd is next week bens is in april

[boots1]

I happen to agree with #7, I think she was lured by the idea of burning one of the buildlings. Something one would brag about who is looking for thrills, but not so bad she wouldn't talk of it. And then who knows, probably she chickened out.

[mmy]

Maybe he used the words "highly illegal" to entice her. Taylor might have had no idea what the illegal thing would be, but being trusting, all she thought about that was that she was in for a thrilling experience. Maybe she did't think to question what was being planned, but felt she was in safe hands.
I'm a grandmother, agree with Iris about the "highly illegal" having to do with sexual ativity. In Virginia, she is considered underaged.

[cosmicmojo]

I just can't imagine anyone refering to sex they plan to have as "highly illegal." Maybe one would say 'really hot', 'really kinky' or something like that, but the allure of it is the kinkiness, not the illegality (which would be moot in a week when she turned 18). Since she considered herself "grown up" she wouldn't think of her sexual activities as "illegal."

Arson or stealing a car, or maybe drugs (but again, the allure is the trip, not the illegality).

[Jamaal]

I don't like the fact that a 17 yr old girl was allowed to go to Richmond alone and meet with a 38 yr old photographer. As a child she should never have had an opportunity to get involved with this man.

Were the parents aware of the relationship? Were they thinking that she may become even more involved with him when she decided to attend VCU?

I think this was a failure in parenting.

[ciarra]

if she were going to be doing something highly illegal for her bday, sex wouldn't be it, because she'd be turning 18. and have reached the age of consent. besides, she's supposed to have had sex before and never refered to it as highly illegal.

and i'm with all the other posts about drugs and pairing that with saying "highly illegal." people don't use those terms in conjunction with drugs unless they're parents or LE. or maybe they do if they're non-drug users and have never been exposed to drugs in anyway. how maybe of you guys would use that term to refer to drug use if you were going to do drugs? the media doesn't even say that. ever heard "blah blah highly illegal cocaine or heroin..." in a news story?

so i think the heroin theory is far fetched.

i'm with the stolen car idea. and i think that the person from whom the car was stolen was maybe "erin".

and someone, maybe jesse, drove taylor's car back from where the crime took place. and ben and taylor continued on for a joy ride in the stolen car.

i can't help but think this jesse guy's involved. beers, cocaine and stolen cars.

i have to think about this some more to put logical pieces together. it's too early and i've no coffee in me at this point.

[york gal]

even tho she said "something" - it could have been multiple illegal acts. she also used the term "present", so it would have to be something she would consider a gift. i don't see how burning something down would be a birthday present. we're putting "illegal" and "birthday present" together - could it be possible that the present wasn't the illegal act itself, but something intertwined with the illegal act? i've been through a hundred different scenarios - at this point, nothing would surprise me

[momof3]

Jamaal, first and formost no disrespect 2nd a question do we havwe a legit report that Taylor was indded allowed to go to Richmond? and if so was it possible that she was to stay with a trusted family friend or the like maybe to tour VCU before hand? Did she have friends from home whom she may have met with that also attend VCU, maybe upperclassmen? She is 17 and 17 year old children do have the tendency to go out unsupervised no shocker there and get this they also tend to do things we as parents dont or would not approve of if we were to ever find out however this does not make a child bad just a curious being by nature.And by the way If Taylor had been killed on interstate 64 while visiting the school by a Drunk driver would you be calling it negligence on the part of the parents? Since when do we not have the God given right to send our children to college in the hopes of a wonderful experience?
And IM sure if Taylors mother had any idea what was to befall her dear beautiful child she would of dragged her home kicking and screaming

[Michele]

MAYBE she never really said she wanted to do something illegal?....anyone thought that?

[jayjay]

I don't like the fact that a 17 yr old girl was allowed to go to Richmond alone and meet with a 38 yr old photographer. As a child she should never have had an opportunity to get involved with this man.

Were the parents aware of the relationship? Were they thinking that she may become even more involved with him when she decided to attend VCU?

I think this was a failure in parenting.

Posted by: Jamaal | Oct 7, 2005 8:14:44 AM

Jamaal,

This diatribe has no basis!

Kids all over the US spend every April, May and/or June traveling the country visiting colleges and universities. Not EVERY parent goes with EVERY kid on these trips!

Oh and by the way, she was not SENT to Richmond to hang out with Ben Fawley. She WENT to Richmond to visit the university!

This is yet ANOTHER "let's blame the victim and her family" scenario!

You know who is at fault Jamaal?

THE KILLER IS AT FAULT!!!!!!!!!!!

JJ

[jayjay]

Oh and by the way, to all of you posting about something "Illegal" being of a sexual nature??

The age of consent in Virgina is 15, Taylor had been legal for 2 1/2 years!

[Gypzywingz]

Someone had made the comment that maybe the story BF told the LE when he was jumped was what actually happened to TB.

You remember that somewhere it stated he said when he was let out on a dirt road and he got a ride back with a man. Maybe in this theory is that TB was in one that had the black bag over her and maybe the 3 or 4 men that jumped him where the "skaters" that she went to meet and maybe the guy that gave him the ride back would of been Jesse Schultz. I think BF wasn't the only person involved here, I also think that there was more than just TB's car involved since her car was not parked where it was found for the entire time she was missing. I think two cars were driven, TB's to the remote location that would explain the matching dirt on her car to the location. There are 2 switched licenses here for two cars. I think Jesse's car was used also and they may have parked it somewhere took TB's car to the location came back got in Jesse's car and drove him and BF home, then later Jesse went back and got TB's car which would explain his scent coming from her car to his Aunt and Uncles.

That was my theory of the car situation but why or how did she die, I think drugs were involved as an "early birthday present" maybe an overdose, maybe a gang rape that got out of hand??

[mmy]

Jayjay, where do you get that information from? I KNOW that under 18 is illegal in Virginia.

[cosmicmojo]

Age of consent is 18 in Virgina; I found the info at About.com
http://teenadvice.about.com/library/weekly/qanda/blageofconsentchart.htm
It may have been lower, but states (and other countries) have been increasing it in the past years.

She went away to college, it's not like her Mom could come down and share a dorm room with her.

[trish]

jay actually the law was changed in 2000 it is a class 1 misd. to have sex with anyone under 18 if you are over 18 unless of course you are guardian to said child then it is a felony or if it is not with consent

[tester]

I doubt she would refer to having sex witha 38 yr old as highly illegal...I mean who's actually at doing the illegal action: Is it the 17 yr old or the 38 yr old?

Its the 38 yr old.

I would go with the car theft theory, or something like that. Maybe some fantasy type scenario involving the birthday boy and the car..

[Unhappy]

My understanding was that under 15 years of age is considered rape. Under 18, but 15 or over, is considered "contributing to the delinquency of a minor".

[mmy]

Thanks for your input, Jo. I deal with sexually active minors constantly and I've never heard of the law actually being enforced. It's there if a parent wants to pursue it.

[anon]

Good morning, all,

Any word on whether there have been any arrests yet?

[anon]

BTW,
I posted on another page that I wasn't the "anon" who made the comments about plagarism.

[mmy]

No arrests yet, hopefully should be imminent.

[Hmmmmm.]

MAYBE - Ben told her that he was going to take her to do something. Told her to meet him. But he said for her not to tell anyone that she was meeting him because they were going to do something illegal. Then when she asked what, he said, "just think of it as an early birthday present." So that's why she was so excited, because she didn't know what to expect, and that's why she had no details for the friend.

[Melissa]

Just because some one is into bondage does not make them a bad person. As long as it is consenting and safety is taken. And if Taylor was into BDSM it does not mean it is her fault or she is a bad person.

However from what I have read about BF he definetly seems like a person who would abuse the control given in these type of situations. Like I've said before this is very possible that Taylor was wanting to experiment and thought been knew what he was doing and was safe. But in reality he abused Taylors trust ignored her cries and maybe even a safety word they had set up because he was enjoying the control too much.

And of course if this all come out to be true you know BF will blame it on her wanting to experiment, etc.

Just my theory.

[K]

Taylor Behl Homicide
Update: Just heard a detective on an O'Reilly replay say Fawley failed a lie detector test earlier this week.

Has this been confirmed yet? I haven't found it on any news reports.

[Letshelp]

I have no doubt that Fawley is the killer and in his self important deluded mind he thinks this weird tale of abduction is going to get him off the hook.

[cosmicmojo]

"I have no doubt that Fawley is the killer and in his self important deluded mind he thinks this weird tale of abduction is going to get him off the hook."
Posted by: Letshelp | Oct 7, 2005 10:39:18 AM

ditto ditto ditto

[jayjay]

Jayjay, where do you get that information from? I KNOW that under 18 is illegal in Virginia.

Posted by: mmy | Oct 7, 2005 9:17:11 AM

mmy,

What do you mean where did it come from? 15 IS the legal age of consent in Virgina!

Go to Google, type in "Legal Age of Consent in Virginia" and take your pick! There must be dozens of references to it...Actually, I stand PARTIALLY corrected, the age of consent is 15 if the male partner is 18, if the male is over 18, it is contributing to the delinquency of a minor until the female is 17 which is COMPLETELY legal...

[cosmicmojo]

jj-
check the date on the web pages you are googling, the age was INCREASED TO 18 in 2000.
Know your sources.

[Wolfie]

jayjay:

Several years ago, the age of consent USED to be 16. That has since changed to be 18. That is when there is more than a 3 year age difference. 18 & 17 can do it and the 18yr old shouldn't need to sweat at all. 21 & 17, and it's against the law. If you want to be technical, even if TB was 18, it would be illegal for BF to have sexual relations with her since he is so much older, and that's not including the law that requires couples to be married before engaging in sexual activities. Of course, just like the law requiring motorists to honk their horn when passing someone in the left lane, it's not really ever enforced.

I'm not sure if this has changed, but the last time I recall, 13 to 17 would be one VA code, while under 13 would be another code. Under 13, even if they are consenting, is rape.

A number of years ago I learned about these laws in my studies, and have kept up enough to know that BF violated the law by having sex with TB. However, even with his confession, they'll be slightly pressed to be able to prove that he really did have sexual relations with her, so you can bet that if they persue that route on him, they'll have other forms of evidence or references to back it up.

[chloe]

Look Taylor was my cousin and even I don't know if she had relations with BF. But a highly illegal crime is not sex and drugs...please. Her car had soil in it from the farmhouse, so they must have taken her car to go there (not a stolen car) then BF drove it back after he left her body. She was most probably going to commit arson (in her mind). And BF probably knew all along that he was going to commit a higly illegal crime... her murder. He was probably fantacising about it all along and projecting his fantasy on to her. Then convincing her they would burn down the farm he knew that HE was really going to kill her.

Oh and those stupid bitches on his myspace site all think he's innocent. They remind me of those freaks who write to serial killers in prison and want to marry them. One of those girls "Karen" is basically illerate. Example: she spells 'didn't' as diddent...duh!!!

[blues]

>>Posted by: chloe
chloe,

thanks for posting. If they went in Taylors car, BF's scent would have been in there

[cosmicmojo]

"If they went in Taylors car, BF's scent would have been in there
Posted by: blues | Oct 7, 2005 3:20:13 PM"

maybe, maybe not.
The absence of Fawley's scent in no way absolves him of any involvement.