Champaign County authorities are offering a $5,000 reward for an unsolved homicide. The reward offer comes on what would have been the victim’s birthday, July 7. The Urbana Police Division and the Champaign County Prosecutor’s Office will reward the money to the person who can provide any information that leads to the arrest and conviction for the crime.
Louis E. Taylor, 87, of Urbana, was found badly beaten inside his Dorothy Moore home on October 24 of last year. His 2006 Jeep Liberty was recovered later that day in a parking lot on S. Limestone St. in Springfield. Taylor died as a result of his injuries from the beating on November 17, 2011. The homicide case has remained an open investigation for Urbana police.
“We are hoping the reward will move people with information on the crime to come forward. We are hoping that the time has elapsed since Lou’s death will make it easier for people with information to divulge details to police,” Urbana Police Chief Matt Lingrell said.
The reward money comes from criminal case monies forfeited by the courts to both the Urbana Police Division’s Law Enforcement Trust fund and the Champaign County Prosecutor’s Law Enforcement Trust fund.
“It’s important that people who have this information understand that it may be critical to helping solve this homicide. Sometimes the smallest or seemingly insignificant detail can be the key to helping police identify the person(s) responsible for committing this crime,” Lingrell said.
Taylor was born in 1924 in Los Angeles, California. His mother was the personal seamstress to Mr. Walt Disney. Taylor served his country in World War II as a Navy pilot. He lived in Urbana for more than 50 years.
Taylor was a 4-H and Boy Scout leader in the community. He was a father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Taylor enjoyed cycling, golfing, fishing and the Tim Horton’s Coffee Club.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Urbana Police Division at 937-652-4364 or their TIP line at 937-652-4357. They ask that you leave your name and a contact number where you can be reached.
Those wishing to remain anonymous are also encouraged to call, but will not be eligible to receive the reward. Also, information provided must lead police to a criminal arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for Taylor’s murder to earn the $5,000.
