Ricki Deann Taylor, 46, of Palestine, Texas, was found dead off Houston County Road 2120, between Grapeland and Latexo, on June 23, 2017. An autopsy determined she died from a single gunshot wound to the head on the evening of June 21. Her truck had been discovered the day she was reported missing, June 22, in the parking lot of Willie Meyers Park in Palestine after her boyfriend reported her missing for failing to answer texts and calls.

Palestine police arrested Ricki’s ex-husband, Andrew Glenn Taylor, 50, on June 30, 2017; he was taken into custody and held on a $1 million bond. A grand jury later declined to indict him. Investigators used cell phone records and other evidence during the probe. In September 2023 Houston County Sheriff Randy Hargrove announced the case was being reopened after new DNA test results; he identified three persons of interest as Ricki’s fiancé, her father, and her ex-husband. The Texas Rangers and the U.S. Marshal’s Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force have been involved in the investigation.

Who in the area might have seen Ricki, her truck, or anyone else near Willie Meyers Park or Houston County Road 2120 on June 21–23, 2017?