JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — During a press conference on Thursday morning, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office announced the suspect in a cold case murder from more than 56 years ago.

The sheriff’s office said an arrest warrant has been issued for James Raymond Taylor, 81, for the murder of Margaret “Peggy” Beck.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday that genealogy helped identify a Taylor .

On August 18, 1963, 16-year-old Beck was found unresponsive at the Flying G Ranch near Deckers, Colorado. She had been sexually assaulted and strangled.

Original evidence from the crime scene was used to create a DNA profile in 2007. An updated comprehensive profile was created in June 2019. 

Leads from investigative genetic genealogy testing led to the identity of Taylor.

Taylor’s whereabouts are unknown, he was last seen in 1976. 

If anyone has any information on James Raymond Taylor, they are urged to call  Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867); reference case 63-10335.

Call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers
(720) 913-7867 - (720) 913-STOP

Submit a tip online: https://www.metrodenvercrimestoppers.com/anonymous-tips

To be eligible for the award and to remain anonymous, tipsters must call the tip line or submit a tip online. Crime Stoppers collects information on unsolved crimes or individuals wanted by the police. Callers can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000. The tip line is answered 24 hours a day - 7 days a week.

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday that genealogy helped identify a suspect in the cold case more than 56 years later.

On August 18, 1963, 16-year-old Margaret “Peggy” Beck was found unresponsive at the Flying G Ranch near Deckers, Colorado. She had been sexually assaulted and strangled.

Original evidence from the crime scene was used to create a DNA profile in 2007. An updated comprehensive profile was created in June 2019. 

Leads from investigative genetic genealogy testing led to the identity of Peggy’s killer, James Raymond Taylor, 81. There's an active warrant out for Taylor’s arrest, but investigators have yet to locate him despite exhaustive efforts. They noted that it's possible he's no longer alive, but said they can't prove that at that this time.

Call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers
(720) 913-7867 - (720) 913-STOP

Submit a tip online: https://www.metrodenvercrimestoppers.com/anonymous-tips

To be eligible for the award and to remain anonymous, tipsters must call the tip line or submit a tip online. Crime Stoppers collects information on unsolved crimes or individuals wanted by the police. Callers can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000. The tip line is answered 24 hours a day - 7 days a week.