Rome, Georgia – A 23-year-old man is facing multiple felony charges after police say he brutally stabbed and beat his pregnant girlfriend to death, left her body covered with blankets outside an apartment complex, and then fled the area with another woman he had recently met online.
Body Discovered Outside Apartment Complex
According to the Rome Police Department, officers responded around noon on Tuesday to reports of a body found near the intersection of Hull Avenue and Cedar Avenue. When police arrived, they discovered the body of Kaylee B. Shackelford, a 20-year-old woman from Tennessee, partially concealed under blankets near a Georgia apartment complex.
Authorities quickly launched a homicide investigation as the scene showed clear signs of violence.
Witnesses Report Suspicious Vehicle
Investigators said witnesses reported seeing a red car in the area shortly before Shackelford’s body was discovered. That detail became a key lead in identifying possible suspects.
Police later located the vehicle approximately 20 miles away in Bartow County. After attempting to stop the car, officers engaged in a vehicle pursuit, which ended with the arrest of two individuals connected to the case.
Suspects Identified and Arrested
Police identified the suspects as Mystique Malachi Amaziah Taylor, 23, and Rolanda Monique Edwards, 25.
Taylor has been charged with:
- Felony murder
- Aggravated assault
- Concealing the death of another
- Feticide (added later)
Edwards is facing charges of:
- Party to a crime
- Concealing the death of another
- Hindering apprehension of a criminal
Details Revealed in Bond Hearing
During a bond hearing, a judge revealed disturbing details about the attack. According to statements presented in court, Taylor allegedly stabbed Shackelford multiple times in the neck, chest, and face with a knife. After the stabbing, he reportedly struck her in the head with a baseball bat, causing fatal injuries.
Police have not publicly disclosed a motive for the killing.
Relationship and Online Connection
Detectives said Shackelford and Taylor were in a romantic relationship at the time of the killing. However, investigators also revealed that Taylor had recently begun an online relationship with Edwards, the woman he allegedly fled with after the attack.
Authorities confirmed that neither Taylor nor Shackelford were residents of the Rome area. Shackelford was from Powell, Tennessee, located about 160 miles northeast of where her body was found.
Pregnancy Leads to Additional Charge
On Friday, police added a feticide charge against Taylor after confirming that Shackelford was pregnant at the time of her death. Georgia law allows for feticide charges when a fetus is killed as a result of a violent crime against a pregnant woman.
Current Custody Status
Taylor is currently being held without bond due to the severity of the charges and the circumstances of the crime. Edwards has been granted bond, set at $5,000, according to court records.
Ongoing Investigation
The Rome Police Department said the investigation remains active as detectives continue gathering evidence and reviewing witness statements. Officials have not ruled out additional charges as the case moves forward.
Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact local law enforcement.
As the community processes the shocking details of the case, authorities are reminding the public to report suspicious activity and to seek help immediately if they believe someone may be in danger. Share your experiences or thoughts in the comments below.
