Woman found dead in basement on Detroit's east side

Friend finds woman in her home on Goldengate Street

DETROIT – A woman was found dead with her throat slashed Saturday in the basement of her home on Detroit's east side.

A friend found the woman in her residence on Goldengate Street, just east of Woodward Avenue.

Family members and friends gathered on a cold street corner after learning Avril Taylor, 49, is gone.

"A warm, loving woman. She helped her community out. She didn't have too much family," said Jazmynn Jones, Taylor's niece. "All these people that are out here right now are all people that she helped."

Jones said Taylor had lived in her east side home for about two years, helping everyone she could.

"She threw parties for the homeless at her house," Jones said. "She was just really loving. Everybody in the community loved her. That's why there are so many people are out here right now."

Around 1 p.m. Saturday, a friend came to borrow something, but instead found Taylor dead in her basement.

Sources said her throat was cut.

A neighbor said there has been trouble there once before.

"She had just had a robbery just before the fall had started. Someone had broken into her house," neighbor Netta Hogan said. "No one knew who it was."

That may have absolutely nothing to do with her death, but her niece, daughter, sister and the rest of her friends and family are hoping for quick answers.

"I just want people to know that she would want us to know the truth about what happened," Jones said.

Detroit police arrested a 45-year-old man Sunday in connection with Taylor's slaying.


About the Authors:

Nick joined the Local 4 team in February of 2015. Prior to that he spent 6 years in Sacramento covering a long list of big stories including wildfires and earthquakes. Raised in Sterling Heights, he is no stranger to the deep history and pride Detroit has to offer.