Thomas Coy, a resident of Wentworth in Southwest Missouri, has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder following the February 2025 killing of Jasmine Sky Taylor, a 23-year-old Amazon delivery driver from Joplin. The fatal incident unfolded along Lawrence County Road 2152, situated just west of Highway 97, in a rural area near Wentworth.
Investigators provided details on the sequence of events leading to Taylor's death. They reported that Coy first observed an Amazon delivery van traveling down the road. After seeing the vehicle, Coy returned to his nearby home to retrieve a pellet-style air rifle. He then positioned himself back outside, waiting for the van to make its return trip. As Taylor's vehicle approached Coy’s driveway, investigators stated, Coy discharged the air rifle, striking Taylor in the head.
Evidence from inside the Amazon van captured the moment of the shooting, showing Taylor suddenly slumping over in the driver’s seat. The now uncontrolled van subsequently veered off the road, crossed into an adjacent field, and ultimately crashed into a fence. Following the crash, investigators detailed that Coy walked to the damaged van. He then removed Taylor from the driver’s seat and placed her in a roadside ditch beside the scene.
Initially, law enforcement authorities were unaware of the true nature of Taylor’s injuries. A witness reported what appeared to be a traffic crash to officials shortly before 4 p.m. Taylor was then transported to a hospital in Joplin for medical attention. It was nearly two hours later when the hospital staff contacted Lawrence County authorities to report a critical discovery: doctors had found a projectile lodged in Taylor’s head.
Upon receiving this information, deputies initiated a review of the Amazon van’s internal video footage. This video evidence allowed them to precisely trace the shooting to the area near Coy’s driveway. Subsequently, deputies questioned Coy about the incident. According to the probable cause statement, Coy admitted to the shooting, confirming he had shot Taylor with the pellet rifle. He also acknowledged his actions in moving her from the van after it crashed.
Jasmine Sky Taylor remained hospitalized for a period of four days. She ultimately succumbed to her injuries on February 9.
While investigators stated they had established a motive for the shooting, they clarified that the incident was not a robbery. However, this established motive was never publicly disclosed by authorities. Later, neighbors in the area told reporters that Coy had voiced complaints regarding delivery vehicles speeding along the local roads. Despite these reports, authorities did not publicly confirm whether these complaints were the underlying reason for Taylor’s shooting.
Thomas Coy had initially faced more severe charges, including first-degree murder and armed criminal action, before entering his guilty plea for second-degree murder.