Fashion Designer Murdered

Beverley Taylor (centre), mother of Harl Taylor, on the scene of his murder on Sunday. (Photo by Candia Dames)

Police classified Mr. Taylor’s death as the 68th homicide of 2007, with Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade telling reporters on the scene that two other incidents that happened recently had not yet been classified.

The discovery of Mr. Taylor’s body came two days after College of The Bahamas Dean Dr. Thaddeus McDonald was found beaten to death in his home on Queen Street, a stone’s throw away from West Hill Street where Mr. Taylor was found dead.

But police would not say whether they believe the two murders are related.

Police also declined to say how Mr. Taylor appears to have met his death, but the Bahama Journal learnt that he was stabbed to death.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Walter Evans said police received information around 9am about the crime, but police would not say who discovered the body, or the extent of Mr. Taylor’s injuries.

"Upon our arrival, we met the lifeless body of an individual," Mr. Evans said. "He had received injuries about the body. Police have determined this as a murder scene. Police investigations into this matter continue and as we get updates we will notify you and keep you updated on the progress of this latest murder scene."

Harl Taylor

"That’s all they asked me to say," said Father Brown, who added that Mr. Taylor was "a quiet, industrious and productive person."

He said it seemed that the family was strong.

"These situations become emotional after a while, but right now, everyone is strong and doing well," Father Brown said.

Mr. Greenslade assured that police are relentless in their pursuit of offenders.

"We’re treating this crime scene like we do all other scenes. We’re putting all of our resources into the investigation with a view to moving forward very quickly," he said.

Mr. Greenslade would not say whether police had any suspects in custody in connection with the murder of Mr. Taylor or Dr. McDonald.

"There are a lot of people we’ll be talking to; there are a lot of people we’ll be seeing. We’ll go from place to place in our pursuit of what has happened," he said.

"We’re early into an investigation; we want to solve these crimes and we’re not going to say anything to you that would compromise the investigation."

Asked how long Mr. Taylor’s body was at the scene, Mr. Greenslade said, "While I won’t tell you how long the body was there, what I’ll say is we’re capable enough in dealing with these things to make determinations generally as to crimes."

He confirmed that the body was found upstairs.

Asked how investigators were going into the murder of Dr. McDonald, Mr. Greenslade said, "The investigations are progressing very, very well. I’m very, very comfortable with what is being done by detectives. I’ve had an opportunity to visit both scenes and I’m very satisfied about what is being done.

"Suffice it to say, every crime scene tells a story, a distinct story. We, because of our training, are able to a great extent decipher those messages and determine what those stories are."

Mr. Taylor’s mother, Beverley Taylor, arrived on the scene with former Prime Minister Perry Christie and his wife Bernadette Christie. Mr. Taylor’s family and friends were allowed inside the nearby Graycliff Restaurant where police officers spoke with them.

Noticeably distressed and shocked, some of them clutched each other as they wept.

"We have to examine very carefully what is happening with the view to trying to learn the lessons from what is happening to ensure that all of us can walk about our country feeling safe and secure, because this is really about taking care of each other and all of us and we cannot afford not to try to understand what is happening," said Mr. Christie, whose family is friendly with the Taylors.

"..We need to as a country come to understand it and then to engage in whatever levels of strategies that need to take place and it is more than just apprehending someone."

One of Mr. Taylor’s friends told The Bahama Journal he was 37.

Outside Mountbatten House, police set up a tent as they gathered evidence.

Mr. Taylor was famous for his luxury designer handbags, but was also skilled at interior decorating. His handbags have made it in the closets of many celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey and Elle McPherson.

Mr. Taylor’s murder was the fifth to be reported since Thursday.