On October 20, 1971, Susan Darlene Shaw, a 16-year-old white female, was abducted from the Sweet Cream Donut Shop in Mesquite, Texas, where she was employed. Her disappearance occurred just days after the abduction of Forrest Covey, 24, and his wife Jena Covey, 19, from a nearby drive-in grocery store. The bodies of all three victims were discovered on October 24, 1971. Susan's remains were found near Lake Ray Hubbard, while the Coveys were located in an abandoned barn in Quinlan, Texas.
All three had been shot multiple times with both. 32 and. 22 caliber weapons.
The investigation into these murders led authorities to the McCrary-Taylor crime family, a group responsible for a series of violent crimes across multiple states. The family included patriarch Sherman McCrary, his wife Carolyn, their son Danny, daughter Ginger, and son-in-law Carl Taylor. Their criminal activities spanned from petty thefts to a series of brutal murders, often involving the abduction and killing of young women working in donut shops or similar establishments.
In connection with the abduction of Susan Darlene Shaw, federal kidnapping charges were filed against Sherman McCrary and Carl Taylor. However, at the time, no charges were filed against the other family members in relation to the slayings. The McCrary-Taylor family's crime spree was characterized by high-speed trips across states to commit their crimes, returning to their base in Athens, Texas, shortly thereafter.
Initially, Everett Clinton Harris of Quinlan, Texas, was arrested and charged with the murders of Susan Darlene Shaw and the Coveys. However, after spending a month in the Hunt County Jail, Harris was released due to a lack of evidence. The charges against him were officially dropped on December 2, 1971.
The McCrary-Taylor family's series of crimes, including the murder of Susan Darlene Shaw, left a trail of violence across the United States. Their modus operandi often involved robbing establishments, abducting female employees, and subsequently murdering them. The victims were typically young women working in donut shops or similar establishments.
Susan Darlene Shaw's tragic death is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by such criminal enterprises. Her case, along with those of the Coveys and other victims, underscores the importance of diligent law enforcement efforts in bringing perpetrators to justice and preventing further loss of innocent lives.
