Witness Interview: Sandra Taylor

Witness Interview: Sandra Taylor

The relevant portions of Sandra Taylor's official interview on February 5 regarding the disappearance of Dale and Crystal Taylor follows.

N = Detective Terry Nelson
S = Sandra Taylor

N: Ms. Taylor, you understand that we'd like to ask you some questions that might help us determine what happened to Dale and Crystal. You're free to leave any time.

S: Of course. Anything at all.

N: What time was it that Shane, Dale and Crystal left the house for the bus stop?

S: It was about quarter after 3:00 I think, maybe a minute or two earlier.

N: Do you recall what Dale and Crystal were wearing?

S: Yes, Crystal had on jeans, a light blue turtleneck she got for Christmas, a white sweatshirt and her light blue skating jacket. Dale was wearing jeans, a white T-shirt with an emblem on the pocket and his dark blue jacket.

N: How were things that morning, any tension, arguments, worries?

S: Not at all. We had a big breakfast, Crystal and Dale were looking forward to the trip and you know Jim and I are so proud of them we were laughing, talking about the training schedule, things like that.

N: They were both in a positive frame of mind then?

S: Yes..

N: What was Shane's mood that morning?

S: He was sleepy. I got him up at about 3:00. I wanted to let him sleep, he plays with the band late most nights. He's not used to getting up like that. He was going to get up, drive Crystal and Dale over to the Big Star where the bus stops and come home and go back to bed.

N: When did Shane get back home that morning?

S: I think it was by 4:00 a.m. That's what he said.

N: You didn't see him when he came home?

S: No. Jim and I went back to bed and I was asleep. I didn't hear Shane come back in.

N: Is Shane envious or resentful of Dale and Crystal's success would you say?

S: Well, I know he feels that Dale and Crystal have gotten more from us than he has, and when it comes to money, I guess that's true. Championship level skating doesn't come cheap. I think he understands that, though. He complains from time to time.

N: Ms. Taylor, have either Crystal or Dale said anything to you or given you any indication that they are depressed or want to get away for a bit?

S: No. They had a rough year in 1997 and missing their chance at Nagano wasn't easy for them, but they stuck it out. They are looking forward to a good championship season this year. They've gotten quite a bit of support from their coaches and the local club.

N: Do Dale or Crystal have any enemies? Any other skaters maybe that might want to get them out of competition?

S: Oh no. They are good competitors and well liked. I don't know of anyone that would feel that threatened by them.

N: What about friends here in Oxford? Did they spend time with their friends while they were at home?

S: Not much. They wanted to stay around the house for the most part. We had lots to do to work out plans, costumes, registrations things like that for this trip to Colorado and the World Championships next month. Dale spent some time with Christian, that's his best friend in Oxford. I know Crystal talked with Maggie, one of her school friends, and a few others.

N: I'm going to ask you and Mr. Taylor to sit down and make a list of all the people you can think of that Dale and Crystal might have had contact with while they were here. We'll want to talk with them, too.

S: Okay.

N: Did either of them get any phone calls or any letters while they were here that stand out in your mind?

S: No, nothing like that.

N: I know this is a hard question for you, but is there any chance that Shane might have something to do with Dale and Crystal's disappearance?

Y: Oh my goodness, no. Not at all.

N: Do you have any ideas on what might have happened to Dale and Crystal?

S: Detective Nelson, I'm scared for them. I hope they did run off someplace and we get home and they call. But in my heart, I feel something bad has happened here. I can't imagine them doing something like just leaving with all the plans they had for this trip, but I'm hoping that's all it is. Please find them.

N: We'll do everything we can, Mrs. Taylor. If you think of anything at all that might help you let us know.