Platte City, MO – A 35-year-old Missouri man, Cordero T. Cervantes, has been charged with second-degree murder after allegedly coercing his then-girlfriend to kill her ex-lover, following a jealousy-fueled confrontation in June 2022, according to the Platte County Prosecutor’s Office. Prosecutors allege Cervantes manipulated and pressured his girlfriend, McKayla C. Archambeau, into shooting 31-year-old Taylor Hawkins behind a barn in Platte City.
The Incident: A Fatal Encounter Fueled by Jealousy
The deadly confrontation took place on a property along Oberdiek Lane in Platte City, a small town located about 25 miles northwest of Kansas City.
According to court documents, Taylor Hawkins had been in a brief relationship with Archambeau about a week before his death. When Cervantes discovered the affair, he allegedly became enraged and plotted revenge.
Witnesses told investigators that on the day of the shooting, Hawkins and Cervantes began arguing before walking behind a barn to “hash things out.” Moments later, a gunshot rang out.
“No, why’d you do it?” were Hawkins’ last words, a witness recalled before hearing the fatal shot.
The same witness told investigators that Cervantes reappeared with a smirk on his face immediately after the gunfire. The witness fled in fear as the couple left the scene.
Investigation and Evidence: A Deadly Manipulation
Initially, Archambeau was charged in October 2022 with second-degree murder, armed criminal action, and tampering with evidence. Authorities later learned that Cervantes had played a far greater role in orchestrating the killing than previously believed.
According to a probable cause statement, Archambeau told police in a recent interview that Cervantes ordered her to shoot Hawkins, saying that “he needs to go” and to “finish him.”
“[Cervantes] wanted me to be the one to kill Taylor because I was the one that had slept with him,” Archambeau reportedly told detectives. “He was mad and made me kill him.”
Court filings revealed that the couple initially planned to convince Hawkins to kill himself, with Archambeau leaving a gun accessible for him. When she failed to follow through with that plan, Cervantes allegedly became enraged, glaring at her with “rage in his eyes,” which she interpreted as a command to shoot Hawkins.
After the killing, Cervantes and Archambeau fled Missouri and were later arrested in Arkansas. Authorities described the murder as both premeditated and emotionally manipulative, rooted in jealousy and control.
Court Proceedings and Charges Filed
On Monday, Platte County prosecutors filed new charges against Cervantes, including second-degree murder, in addition to prior counts of evidence tampering and vehicle tampering.
Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd called the case “a brutal and senseless killing” and vowed to pursue justice for the victim.
“We allege this defendant played a direct role in the death of another man and then fled the state to avoid justice,” Zahnd said in a public statement.
Court records show that Cervantes had previously been released on probation for a separate motor vehicle tampering conviction but now has an active warrant for his arrest.
Meanwhile, Archambeau, now 25, pleaded guilty in August 2025 to all charges against her. Her sentencing is scheduled for November 14, where she faces decades in prison.
Relationship Background and Abuse Allegations
Investigators said that Cervantes and Archambeau had a tumultuous, on-again-off-again relationship, characterized by emotional volatility and alleged abuse.
During her most recent interview, Archambeau told detectives that she had come to realize Cervantes was abusive, claiming he often hit her in bed at night and later blamed his actions on nightmares. She described a clear pattern of violence that escalated after arguments.
Authorities believe Cervantes exerted psychological control over Archambeau, manipulating her into carrying out the murder as a twisted form of punishment and loyalty test after her infidelity with Hawkins.
Community and Prosecutor Response
The Platte County Prosecutor’s Office described the case as one of manipulation, jealousy, and violence, highlighting the deep psychological coercion that led to the murder.
“This was not just a crime of passion — it was a calculated act of dominance and control,” one official noted.
The case has reignited discussions around domestic abuse and coercive violence, emphasizing how manipulation within relationships can lead to extreme acts.
Community members in Platte City have expressed shock and disbelief at the crime, describing it as “a tragedy rooted in obsession and control.”
Ongoing Developments and Next Steps
Authorities continue to search for Cervantes, who remains at large following the issuance of a new warrant. Prosecutors are working with law enforcement agencies across Missouri and Arkansas to locate and apprehend him.
Archambeau’s sentencing hearing in November is expected to bring further details to light about the pair’s deadly relationship and the events that led to Hawkins’ death.
Investigators say the case serves as a chilling example of how jealousy and manipulation can spiral into violence — destroying multiple lives in the process.
Conclusion
As prosecutors pursue justice for Taylor Hawkins, the Platte City community remains haunted by the violent chain of events set in motion by Cordero Cervantes’ jealousy and control. With the man still wanted and his former girlfriend awaiting sentencing, authorities hope the full truth will emerge — and justice will finally be served.
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