NFL® Star Slit Girlfriend's Throat, Burned the Body
What started as a house party in Spring, Texas, ended in a slow-burning mystery that unraveled into a murder case gripping the nation. Former NFL® player Kevin Ware Jr., once known for his role as a tight end on the gridiron, is now remembered for a far more disturbing chapter — the brutal death of his girlfriend, Taylor Pomaski. This story isn't just about a crime. It's about the chilling silence that followed a desperate plea.
The Disappearance That Raised Alarms
Taylor Pomaski, 29, was last seen alive on April 25, 2021, at a party she hosted at her home in Spring, Texas.
Witnesses described the gathering as tense, with some noting heated interactions between Pomaski and Ware.
Pomaski's sudden disappearance puzzled investigators and devastated her family. For months, there were no answers. Her body wasn't discovered until December 2021, in a ditch in northern Harris County — a grim discovery that was not officially identified as hers until April 2022.
An Ongoing Investigation and Shocking Allegations
While the public held onto hope, investigators were building their case. In July 2022, more than a year after Pomaski's disappearance, a grand jury indicted Ware for murder and evidence tampering, specifically for mutilating and burning her corpse, according to NBC Sports.
According to court documents, Ware allegedly used a knife, a blunt object, and strangulation to kill Pomaski. He then reportedly set her body on fire in an attempt to destroy evidence. One witness claimed that Ware admitted to slitting her throat and even took a photo of the burning scene, PEOPLE reported.
Her Final Plea and a Life Cut Short
Before her disappearance, Pomaski had reached out to an ex-boyfriend, expressing fear and uncertainty. Eric Zuleger told KHOU 11 News, "We were talking about her getting out of there, getting back on her feet, getting herself set and stabilized," according to the U.S. Sun.
Those messages, in hindsight, read like a tragic SOS — an emotional thread that now underscores the human cost behind the headlines.
Ware's history with the law further complicated the narrative. He had been previously convicted for drug distribution and illegal possession of a firearm as a felon, and was out on a $23,000 bond just five days before Taylor vanished.
The Sentencing and What Comes Next
On May 7, 2025, just before his trial was scheduled to begin, Kevin Ware Jr. accepted a plea deal — 30 years in prison for murder and evidence tampering. Prosecutors warned him that if he declined, he could face life in prison. After a short deliberation with his lawyers, Ware returned to the courtroom and took the deal.
His formal sentencing was scheduled for May 9. Family members of Pomaski read emotional impact statements, describing the heartbreak of losing a daughter, niece, and friend. Ware's own grandmother even mentioned during the hearing that while Ware's life will be interrupted, Pomaski's is gone forever, according to ABC 13.
Ware is also serving a 15-year concurrent sentence for the earlier weapons and drug charges. His once-promising football career — 16 games across two NFL seasons with Washington and San Francisco — is now a distant memory, overshadowed by the darkest of headlines.
A Life Remembered
While justice has been rendered in the legal sense, Pomaski's family continues to grieve. Her aunt described Taylor as the "hero" in this tragic story, as reported by ABC 13.
She was a young woman with plans, dreams, and a desire to change her circumstances — until violence silenced her voice.
References: HORRIFIC END: Tragic final plea by ex-NFL player Kevin Ware Jr.'s girlfriend before he brutally murdered her and torched corpse | Ex-NFL Player Kevin Ware Jr. Pleads Guilty, Accepts 30 Years for 2021 Murder of Girlfriend Taylor Pomaski: Reports | Girlfriend's family describes toll of 2021 murder after former NFL player pleads guilty | Ex-NFL player Kevin Ware Jr. sentenced to 30 years for murdering his girlfriend
