At a press conference last week, Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Shrader and Investigator Elias Alberti announced the identity of the suspect in the cold case homicide of 16-year-old Margaret “Peggy” Beck in 1963.
Peggy was found unresponsive at the Flying G Ranch near Deckers, Colorado on August 18, 1963. She had been sexually assaulted and strangled. An arrest warrant has been issued for James Raymond Taylor (12/22/1939) for her murder.
In 2007, a John Doe DNA profile was created from evidence originally collected from the crime scene, and the profile was entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). In June of 2019, a more comprehensive profile was created and submitted for investigative genetic genealogy testing. Investigators followed up on obtained leads and were able to determine the DNA was that of James Raymond Taylor.
Taylor’s whereabouts are unknown as he was last seen in 1976.
If anyone has any information on James Raymond Taylor, they are urged to call the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 303-271-5612 or Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867); reference case 63-10335.
Republished courtesy of JCSO. Photo: 1961 photo of James Raymond Taylor. Credit: Jefferson County