A deep love for animals, especially the world of purebred dogs, defined the life of Taylor Mae Lane. At 21, the vibrant, white female had already established herself as a talented and dedicated exhibitor, a passion she shared with her mother, Tami Lane, and sister, Tara Richardson. Growing up in the sport, Taylor was a familiar and promising young presence in the close-knit dog show community, known for her commitment to the animals she raised and handled. Her life, full of potential and dedication, was tragically cut short in the fall of 2016.
On the night of Tuesday, October 11, 2016, a violent home invasion shattered the peace in the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood of south St. Louis, Missouri. Intruders forced their way into the residence in the 4600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, near Dakota Street, where Taylor lived with her 32-year-old boyfriend, Nathan Dieckmann. Inside the home, both Taylor and Nathan were shot and killed. Nathan was a construction worker, a mixed martial arts fighter, and a father to two young sons. The couple was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders.
In a heartbreaking display of loyalty, Taylor’s beloved Doberman Pinscher, Audrey, was also shot twice as she apparently tried to protect her owners during the attack. While Taylor and Nathan succumbed to their injuries, Audrey survived. The dog became a living link to Taylor for her grieving family and friends, a symbol of the horrific violence that had taken place. The double homicide sent shockwaves of grief and fear through the community and the national circle of dog show exhibitors who mourned the loss of one of their own.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department launched a homicide investigation, but the case proved challenging from the start. Detectives pursued leads, but the identities of the individuals who broke into the home and opened fire have remained elusive. No suspects have ever been publicly identified, and no arrests have been made in the years following the brutal slayings, leaving the case to go cold. The lack of answers has been a source of profound and ongoing pain for the families of Taylor Lane and Nathan Dieckmann.
In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, there was an outpouring of support for the victims' families. The dog show community, in particular, rallied to honor Taylor's memory. A GoFundMe campaign was established by friends to help her family cover the unexpected funeral expenses and to pay for the extensive veterinary bills for Audrey’s recovery. A funeral service for Taylor was held on Sunday, October 16, at Kutis Affton Chapel, and she was laid to rest at Lakewood Park Cemetery.
Years have passed since the violent night that claimed two lives, but for their loved ones, the quest for justice is not over. The case of who killed Taylor Mae Lane and Nathan Dieckmann officially remains an open investigation with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Authorities have previously offered a reward for any information that could lead to an arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for this devastating crime. The families are left waiting for a breakthrough that will finally bring closure and hold the perpetrators accountable.
