Crime Junkie Podcast Summary: "MURDERED: Aaron Taylor from Phoenix"

Release Date: December 26, 2024
Presented by: audiochuck Media Company

Introduction

In the episode titled "MURDERED: Aaron Taylor from Phoenix," hosts Ashley Flowers and Britt Prawat delve into the tragic and mysterious death of Aaron Taylor, a 36-year-old man from Phoenix, Arizona. This case, which unfolded on Christmas Day 2007, remains unresolved, leaving Aaron's family and community yearning for answers.

The Night of the Tragedy

[02:15] Ashley Flowers
"The story I have for you today is about a truly horrific death that you probably haven't even heard of. And that's because our victim was experiencing homelessness."

Aaron Taylor was found on Christmas Day, 2007, in Paradise Valley Village, a neighborhood in Phoenix. At approximately 6:50 PM, Aaron was discovered engulfed in flames on a concrete bench near a Subway sandwich shop within a local strip mall. Two witnesses, Nimoy and a woman accompanying him, first encountered the horrifying scene.

[04:44] Britt Prawat
"Someone is on fire, and just not caring or checking out or anything?"

The initial response from bystanders was disbelief. A Circle K convenience store customer dismissed the sight as a practical joke involving a tiki torch. However, as the situation intensified, he realized the severity and called 911. Firefighters arrived by 7:01 PM, extinguishing the flames and attempting CPR, but unfortunately, Aaron succumbed to his injuries by 7:35 PM.

Investigation Begins

[07:48] Ashley Flowers
"Police have to try and figure out what in the world happened."

Phoenix Detective Dominic Rostenberg spearheaded the investigation. The crime scene was chaotic, with water, foam, blood, and charred remains scattered around the bench area. Despite collecting evidence such as used matches and cigarette butts, much of it was compromised by the fire and firefighting efforts.

Aaron, known in the area as "Homeless Jesus" due to his long hair and beard, was a familiar face at the strip mall. Friends like Nimoy described him as a sweet individual battling alcoholism but never violent. However, Aaron had a history of severe harassment from a group of young men—nicknamed the "post high school guys" by Circle K employees—who would often assault and intoxicate him.

[10:04] Britt Prawat
"So do they know who these alleged are?"

The primary suspects were identified as two brothers, Nate (22) and Max (17), along with their friends Charlie (20) and Donnie (19). These individuals were notorious for causing trouble in the strip mall courtyard, having been repeatedly asked to leave for aggressive behavior towards Aaron.

Emerging Leads and Witnesses

[13:03] Britt Prawat
"This podcast is sponsored by Squarespace..."

Advertisements are skipped.

[15:06] Britt Prawat
"Ryan tells officers that he and a friend were with Aaron right before this all happened."

A pivotal witness, Robert, came forward claiming he and a friend were with Aaron alongside Nate, Charlie, and two unnamed individuals. Robert reported hearing Charlie say, "we're gonna him up," suggesting a potential threat. However, his statement lacked clarity, leaving investigators uncertain about the intent behind the comment.

[17:08] Britt Prawat
"That's just a big game of telephone."

Rumors began circulating, with a woman's daughter alleging that Nate had boasted about setting Aaron on fire. These hearsay accounts complicated the investigation, making it challenging to discern factual evidence from mere speculation.

Critical Testimonies and DNA Evidence

[29:10] Britt Prawat
"When Ryan sits down with them, he tells three variations of the same story."

Ryan introduced new names—Curtis and Ramon—accusing them of involvement. Ramon later provided a more detailed account, describing how Donnie inadvertently ignited Aaron's coat with a match while attempting to light a blunt. Despite witnessing Aaron on fire, the group chose to flee, leaving Aaron to succumb to the flames.

[34:29] Britt Prawat
"Any thought anyone might have had of, like, oh, he'll put himself out. I don't even know how you could actually think that."

This revelation shifted the investigation’s focus towards Donnie, who was apprehended in Washington in July 2008. DNA samples from Donnie were compared to residues on the matches found at the scene. Unfortunately, initial tests in April 2009 yielded no human DNA matches, leaving the case unresolved.

Cold Case and Renewed Efforts

By 2015, Detective Rostenberg revisited the case, re-examining all collected evidence and conducting fresh interviews. Robert’s testimony had inconsistencies, and new aliases like "Colorbanger" emerged, adding layers of confusion. Attempts to obtain DNA from Nate's brother, Max, were unsuccessful, as legal barriers impeded further progress.

[44:57] Britt Prawat
"So the timing isn't lost on me either."

Additional anonymous tips in 2020 introduced new suspects, but without concrete evidence, these leads remained speculative. The elusive nature of the primary suspects—Nate, Charlie, Donnie, and Max—further hindered advancements in the case.

Current Status and Ongoing Efforts

As of the episode’s release in 2024, Aaron Taylor's case remains a cold case. Investigators continue to seek eyewitness accounts and concrete evidence to bring closure to Aaron’s family. Detective Rostenberg emphasizes the importance of community cooperation in resolving such cases.

[49:31] Britt Prawat
"If you have any information about the death of Aaron Taylor in 2007 on Christmas Day, please contact the Phoenix Police Department..."

Aaron’s family remains devastated, grappling with the loss of their son and the absence of justice. Nikki, Aaron's sister, voiced her anguish over the unresolved nature of the case, highlighting the profound emotional toll on the family.

Conclusion

"MURDERED: Aaron Taylor from Phoenix" is a poignant exploration of a tragic event that underscores the challenges in solving crimes involving marginalized individuals. Despite years of investigation, the case of Aaron Taylor remains unsolved, serving as a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding true crime investigations.

For those with information regarding Aaron Taylor’s death, authorities urge individuals to come forward to aid in the pursuit of justice.

Notable Quotes:

• Britt Prawat (02:57): "This is absolutely a case you'll be obsessed with and furious over."
• Ashley Flowers (07:48): "If it got damaged by water or flame extinguishers or even just the fire itself, I mean, is it even going to be useful?"
• Britt Prawat (10:49): "Ugh. I can totally picture this kind of guy..."
• Britt Prawat (31:17): "Well, I mean, that's the only way he can, so go ahead and scream."

Further Information:
For more details and to access the source material for this episode, visit crimejunkiepodcast.com. Follow Crime Junkie on Instagram at @crimejunkiepodcast for updates and additional content.

If you have any information about the case, please contact the Phoenix Police Department at 602-495-58 or email coldcase@phoenix.gov. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Silent Witness at 1-800-343-TIPS.

This summary aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the "MURDERED: Aaron Taylor from Phoenix" episode for those who haven't listened to the podcast.