Taylor Santiago, 31, of Aurora, Missouri, a mother serving a life sentence for killing one of her children’s fathers, is now facing extradition to Arkansas after allegedly killing her estranged lover’s girlfriend and attempting to kill the father during a multi-state shooting rampage.
Santiago already pled guilty in April to first-degree murder, robbery, unlawful use of a weapon, and endangering the welfare of a child in connection with her ex-husband Troy Huffman’s killing at her Missouri home.
Authorities said the violence did not stop there. On January 23, Santiago allegedly killed Sophia Williams in Arkansas and attempted to shoot Nathan Green, her child’s surviving father. The attack occurred in front of her child, which resulted in extra child endangerment charges.
Prosecutors say Santiago killed Huffman before driving 55 miles in his Mercedes to Carroll County, Arkansas, to attack Green and Williams. Williams died after a gunshot wound to the head, while Green was gravely injured.
Santiago is currently incarcerated at the Chillicothe Correctional Center in Missouri, and an extradition hearing for Williams’ death is planned for October 30. Arkansas prosecutors have filed a complaint alleging capital murder in the first degree, attempted capital murder, aggravated residential burglary, first-degree violence, and endangering the welfare of a kid.
According to authorities, Santiago admitted to shooting her children’s fathers and Williams. She allegedly contacted 911 from the Aurora Police and Fire Facility around 2 a.m., turned herself in, and led authorities to Huffman’s body in her apartment.
According to Aurora Police Chief Wes Coatney, investigators believe the motive stems from custody battles between Santiago and the two fathers. Coatney stated:
“I don’t know the answer as to why she returned to Missouri to turn herself in. I’m glad she did, though. I wish she would have come to us before all of this happened so we could’ve helped her.”
During a police interrogation, Santiago allegedly told detectives that she called Huffman over to see their son, cautioned her child to conceal their ears, and carried a .38 pistol hidden behind her back before shooting him.
Santiago’s actions have prompted severe concerns regarding child endangerment, as her toddler was present during the Arkansas incident but not injured. Neighbors reported hearing disturbance during the Missouri incident.
“My daughter was home,” said neighbor Karla Rodgers. “She did hear some banging on the bathroom walls.”
Rodgers also stated that Santiago appeared normal at first, but that drug use may have contributed: “At first, she was extremely pleasant. “I believe she got into drugs.”
Santiago reportedly told police that she was a “disgusting, evil murderer” and believed that death or life in prison were fitting punishments for her crimes.
Leave a Reply