A 38-year-old man in New York has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for killing his ex-wife, Tishawn Folkes-Taylor, in 2023, less than two weeks after allegedly killing his current wife.
Timothy Taylor’s chilling confession to police, in which he stated that his ex-wife “deserved it”, has sent shockwaves through the community.
The Murder of Tishawn Folkes-Taylor
Timothy Taylor was arrested after pleading guilty to the second-degree murder of his ex-wife, Tishawn Folkes-Taylor. The murder took place on May 28, 2023, when Taylor traveled from North Carolina to Schenectady, New York, to kill his ex-wife.
After arriving at the Imperial Hotel, located less than two miles from Folkes-Taylor’s home, Taylor stalked the streets of Schenectady before breaking into his ex-wife’s house in the early morning hours.
Once inside, Taylor stabbed Folkes-Taylor more than 22 times, killing her in a brutal attack. He then fled the scene through a bedroom window, walking the streets and discarding his clothing along the way. The two children of Taylor and Folkes-Taylor were in the house at the time but were not harmed.
The Murder of His Current Wife
At the time of Folkes-Taylor’s murder, Taylor was already under investigation in Brooklyn, where he was accused of killing his current wife on May 13, 2023. Taylor allegedly stabbed his current wife to death, and police had been searching for him in connection to that crime.
After killing his current wife, Taylor fled to Philadelphia, where he was detained by U.S. Marshals and extradited back to New York. While in Philadelphia, he was questioned by detectives from NYPD and Schenectady PD about the deaths of both women.
Taylor’s Chilling Confession
During questioning, Taylor reportedly told detectives that he “felt bad” about killing his current wife, but then said that he “knew he had to come to Schenectady” to kill his ex-wife because he harbored “so much animosity” toward her. He chillingly added that, “unlike his first victim,” his ex-wife “deserved it.”
Surveillance Footage and Critical Evidence
The case against Taylor was significantly aided by surveillance footage from street cameras and various stores, which helped authorities piece together the timeline of events leading to the murders. According to District Attorney Robert M. Carney, the victim, Tishawn Folkes-Taylor, was aware of Taylor’s violent intentions.
Despite being stabbed more than 22 times, she protected her children before her death. The oldest child, a high school student at the time, and the extended family played a crucial role in assisting authorities with the investigation.
Legal Proceedings and Future Charges
Timothy Taylor has agreed to a plea deal in which he pleaded guilty to the murder of his ex-wife, and in exchange, he is set to serve 22 years in prison. However, prosecutors have also indicated that additional charges are pending in Brooklyn, where Taylor faces allegations related to the murder of his current wife.
Taylor is scheduled for sentencing in Schenectady County Court on September 16, 2025, before Judge Matthew J. Sypniewski. Prosecutors hope that with additional charges being brought in New York City, Taylor “never lives in the world again as a free man.”
The Victim’s Family and Community Impact
The murders have deeply impacted the family of the victims, particularly the children, who lost their mother and were subjected to the traumatic experience of witnessing the violent attack. District Attorney Carney expressed his hope that justice would be served and that the children and their extended family would find peace through the legal proceedings.
