She Stabbed Him 31 Times. Then She Took a Selfie With His Body.
The story of Amanda Taylor is one that lingers in the mind — a tale of grief, obsession, and a shocking act of brutality. In 2015, Amanda earned the nickname "The Selfie Killer" after murdering her father-in-law, Charles Taylor, and posing for a chilling photo with his body. Her crime captivated and horrified the nation, not just for its violence, but for her lack of remorse and the eerie motives behind her actions.
From Tragedy to Revenge
Amanda Taylor's descent into darkness began in August 2014 when her husband, Rex Taylor, died by suicide. A father of two, Rex struggled with drug addiction, which Amanda blamed on his father, Charles. Grief morphed into rage, and Amanda fixated on revenge. She later told Crime Watch Daily, "I just wanted him to feel the pain I felt. That's the most alive I've felt since Rex died," adding that she had “absolutely no remorse” for the murder, as reported by Daily Mail.
A Cold-Blooded Killing
On April 4, 2015, Amanda entered Charles' home in Ellett, Virginia, armed with a bayonet-style knife she'd purchased from a military surplus store. She attacked him with a fury fueled by years of resentment, stabbing him 31 times. According to testimony by the medical examiner during her trial, 11 of those wounds could have been fatal on their own, as reported by WSLS.
Amanda's accomplice, Sean Ball, helped during the attack by striking Charles with a crowbar when Amanda hesitated.
The act itself brought Amanda an unsettling sense of satisfaction. "I was very happy, I was very happy just to finally get all that built-up hate and anger and all those feelings out on him," she said during a phone interview with Crime Watch Daily, as reported by Daily Mail. The gruesome attack left Charles dead, but Amanda wasn't finished.
The Selfie That Shocked the World
After killing Charles, Amanda did something that stunned even seasoned investigators: She posed for a selfie with his body. In the photo, she smirked while holding the bloody knife used in the attack. She later sent the image to a friend, who posted it on a serial killer website. For Amanda, the photo was a twisted trophy. "It made me really happy," she admitted during the Crime Watch Daily interview, according to Daily Mail.
A Dangerous Obsession
Amanda's chilling actions didn't stop at murder. Before her arrest, she revealed a bizarre fascination with ISIS, though she denied wanting to join the terrorist group. "I had this weird obsession with it for a minute and I tried to reach out, but obviously nothing happened from it," she told Crime Watch Daily, as reported by Daily Mail.
Justice Delivered
After the murder, Amanda and Sean fled but didn't evade capture for long. Sean later turned on Amanda and received a 60-year prison sentence for his role in the crime.
Amanda's trial offered no surprises. Her unapologetic demeanor and disturbing testimony left the jury with little doubt. They deliberated for less than 25 minutes before sentencing her to life in prison.
A Legacy of Pain
Amanda Taylor's story is not just one of violence — it's a harrowing reminder of how unprocessed grief and unchecked rage can spiral into unimaginable actions. Her crime devastated the Taylor family and left a community grappling with the shocking details. While Amanda shows no signs of remorse, the story of her crime underscores the importance of addressing trauma before it consumes and destroys.
References: Selfie murderer, 26, says she took photo next to body of her father-in-law because it 'made her really happy' as she reveals she tried to contact ISIS before her arrest but got no response | Amanda Taylor will spend life in jail
