“The Necklace”: Dateline Reports on Taylor Wright Homicide July 18 2025
On Friday, July 18, 2025, Dateline NBC aired The Necklace, a chilling account of the disappearance and murder of Taylor Wright, a former police officer turned private investigator. The episode, reported by Keith Morrison, takes viewers through a complex story of trust, deception, and ultimately, betrayal at the hands of a close friend. Set against the backdrop of Pensacola, Florida, the case drew national attention for its deeply personal nature and the shocking turn it took during the investigation.
Wright vanished in 2017, just days before a scheduled court hearing involving a contentious divorce. As police dug deeper into the mystery, a narrative of financial deceit and betrayal emerged. At its center was Ashley McArthur, a former crime scene technician and one of Wright’s closest confidantes. Through exclusive interviews and investigative insight, Dateline reconstructed the harrowing events that led to Wright’s death and the conviction that followed.
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Taylor Wright’s Life of Resilience and Rebuilding
Taylor Wright’s early life was marked by hardship. She entered foster care at the age of 13 and found refuge only after a neighbor, Nancy Murchison, took her in. Wright would later credit this act of kindness with helping her find stability. She thrived in her new environment, eventually marrying Marine Jeff Wright and starting a family in North Carolina. Taylor later became a police officer in Jacksonville, admired for her toughness and charisma.
The marriage produced a son, Drake, and initially seemed strong. But following a move to Florida, the couple’s relationship deteriorated. A divorce ensued, leading to bitter disputes over custody and assets. Wright’s professional life was also disrupted—she was arrested for battery during a heated argument with Jeff. Though charges were dropped, her career in law enforcement was over. She transitioned to work as a private investigator and tried to rebuild, both professionally and personally.
A New Relationship and a Sudden Disappearance
By September 2017, Wright was beginning a new chapter. She was in a relationship with Casandra Waller, a school administrator, and had plans to move in with her. Despite past struggles, including infidelity and drug use, Taylor and Casandra were committed to making things work. The weekend she disappeared, Taylor had been in the process of relocating her belongings to Waller’s home.
Wright left one morning with Ashley McArthur, a friend she trusted enough to handle a large sum of her money. When Taylor failed to return and missed Waller’s birthday dinner, alarm bells went off. Waller received an unusual text from Taylor’s phone later that night, suggesting she needed space. The message felt out of character. McArthur claimed Taylor left on her own to get a beer downtown. But inconsistencies in McArthur’s story quickly drew the attention of investigators.
Ashley McArthur’s Story Unravels
McArthur, a former crime scene technician, told police she and Taylor had spent the day horseback riding. She claimed Taylor left her house by Uber and later sent her a message saying she needed time alone. However, there was no record of a ride service being called, and cell phone data placed McArthur far from where she claimed to be.
McArthur’s phone showed her presence at a remote farm property in Cantonment, owned by her relatives. Authorities executed search warrants on the property and McArthur’s residence six weeks after Taylor disappeared. Simultaneously, McArthur was brought in for questioning. Hours later, a cadaver dog led police to a shallow grave. A portion of a skull and Wright’s distinctive bullet necklace confirmed the worst—Taylor had been murdered and buried in concrete and potting soil.
Financial Motive and Cold Calculation
Investigators uncovered a financial motive. Taylor had withdrawn $100,000 from a disputed marital fund and entrusted McArthur with $34,000 of it, which they deposited into a joint account. McArthur began spending the money almost immediately on extravagant gifts for a man she was having an affair with. When Taylor requested the money back to bring to her upcoming court hearing, McArthur panicked.
Prosecutors alleged that McArthur tried to poison Taylor with a cocaine-laced drink, hoping to stage an overdose. When that failed, she shot Taylor in the back of the head. Surveillance footage showed McArthur purchasing potting soil and concrete the day after Taylor went missing. Witnesses later testified that McArthur had openly talked about her plan to cause Taylor’s death using drugs.
A Trial Hinged on Circumstantial Evidence
Despite the lack of DNA evidence, the prosecution built a strong circumstantial case. Cell phone records, financial transactions, and surveillance footage created a timeline that contradicted McArthur’s statements. Friends of McArthur testified about her prior admissions and the methods she considered to kill Taylor. Although jurors in McArthur’s earlier fraud and racketeering case acquitted her of arson, the murder trial produced a different outcome.
The jury found Ashley McArthur guilty of first-degree murder. She was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 25 years. The conviction was a significant moment for Wright’s grieving loved ones, though the emotional scars remain.
The Lasting Impact of a Tragic Betrayal
The murder of Taylor Wright left her friends and family shattered. Nancy Murchison, who had taken Taylor in as a child, described the enduring pain of losing someone she loved like a daughter. Waller, Jeff Wright, and others close to Taylor have shared their stories publicly to honor her memory and caution others about the dangers of misplaced trust.
Dateline’s The Necklace offers a powerful reminder of how betrayal can come from those closest to us. Through compelling interviews and careful storytelling, the episode reconstructs the devastating consequences of greed and deception. While justice was served in the courtroom, the emotional weight of the case continues to resonate with those who knew and loved Taylor Wright.
