Murderer Confesses to Bathing in Victim's Blood

Few cases in recent Midwest history have been as unsettling as the murder of Shad Thyrion by Taylor Schabusiness. The crime, marked by extreme violence, led to a widely publicized trial and a sentencing that ensured Schabusiness will never leave prison. As more information came to light, the public learned of a disturbing mixture of substance abuse and deep-rooted psychological issues.

The Night of the Crime

On Feb. 21, 2022, Taylor Schabusiness reportedly picked up 24-year-old Shad Thyrion from his mother's home in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The two had known each other since middle school and had an on-again, off-again relationship that included drug use. That night, they consumed methamphetamine and trazodone before engaging in sexual activities. During this encounter, Schabusiness strangled Thyrion, decapitated him, and dismembered his body, before scattering his body parts throughout the house, the Associated Press reports.

Two days later, Thyrion's mother, Tara Pakanich, discovered evidence of the gruesome crime in her basement and immediately contacted the authorities. Police arriving on the scene encountered a situation they described as one of the most disturbing they had ever witnessed.

The Arrest and Investigation

Schabusiness was arrested soon after. In interviews, she gave contradictory accounts, at times saying she blacked out, but then later indicated she took satisfaction in the violence. Investigators also discovered parts of Thyrion's remains at different locations, tying her conclusively to the crime.

Before this tragedy, Schabusiness had a history of run-ins with law enforcement for drug-related offenses, battery on police, and resisting arrest. She was married to Warren Schabusiness, who was then serving a federal prison sentence on drug charges. Her early life involved significant trauma, including the loss of her mother and her father's incarceration for a serious crime.

The Trial and Sentencing

Schabusiness was charged with first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse, and third-degree sexual assault. The trial faced delays due to questions about her mental competency. Psychologists ultimately concluded that while she had mental health challenges, she understood the nature and consequences of her actions.

Her behavior in court caused additional turmoil. In February 2023, Schabusiness reportedly attacked her defense attorney, Quinn Jolly, leading to his withdrawal and prompting Christopher Froelich to step in. The trial itself took place in July 2023 and lasted just four days. A jury found her guilty on all charges and subsequently determined she was not legally insane at the time of the crime.

The judge sentenced Schabusiness to life in prison without the possibility of parole, according to the Associated Press. Schabusiness declined to make a statement at sentencing. Brown County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Walsh remarked that the crime's severity warranted the maximum punishment allowed by law, saying, "The offense in this case can't be overstated ... you seem to run out of superlatives in describing what happened. ... This crime offends human decency, it offends human dignity, it offends the human community. It really does," as reported by the Green Bay Press Gazette.

The Aftermath and Public Response

The case deeply affected the Green Bay community and sparked discussions on mental health, substance abuse, and the criminal justice system's response to severe violence. While Schabusiness's sentence brought some closure for Thyrion's family, nothing could undo the devastation they endured.

Schabusiness will serve her life sentence in a Wisconsin prison. For many, the case remains a stark reminder of how unchecked drug use and psychological turmoil can culminate in a tragedy that irreversibly alters countless lives.

References The Murder of Shad Thyrion by Taylor Schabusiness | Wisconsin Woman Gets Life Without Parole for Killing and Dismembering Ex-Boyfriend | Wisconsin Dismemberment Case: Woman Accused Attacks Defense Attorney | Taylor Schabusiness sentenced to life in prison for killing, decapitating Shad Thyrion of Green Bay