Former NFL player Kevin Ware Jr. violently ended 29-year-old Taylor Pomaski’s life in Spring, Texas, in 2021, leaving her family devastated and determined to seek justice for their beloved daughter and sister.
In a shocking case that captured national attention, ex-NFL player Kevin Ware Jr. pleaded guilty to murdering his girlfriend, Taylor Pomaski.
The court sentenced him to 30 years in prison for brutally killing the 29-year-old woman and burning her body, which investigators later discovered in a ditch in north Harris County.
Court documents revealed the horrific nature of the crime—Ware murdered Taylor by cutting her, hitting her with a blunt object, and strangling her.
The violence occurred at Ware’s Spring, Texas home, where Taylor had been living during their approximately year-long relationship.
The tragedy unfolded after Ware was released on bond for previous charges.
On April 19, 2021, Montgomery County deputies arrested Ware for driving 115 mph, discovering loaded weapons—including an AK-47—and drugs in his vehicle.
Despite being a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, authorities granted him bond, which he posted.
Days after his release, Taylor vanished. She was last seen on April 26, 2021, at a party in Ware’s home.
When Taylor failed to contact her family on Mother’s Day, her parents immediately sensed something was wrong and reported her missing to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
For eight agonizing months, Taylor’s family waited for answers. Finally, in December 2021, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Equusearch discovered human remains in northern Harris County.
On May 1, 2022, authorities confirmed these remains belonged to Taylor Pomaski.
Taylor Pomaski’s Parents Show Strength Amid Tragedy
Stephen Pomaski and Leslie Mandeville’s lives changed forever when their eldest daughter disappeared.
Their tireless advocacy, public appeals, and determination to find justice reveal the profound love they shared with Taylor.
Stephen describes his daughter as someone who would “walk into a room, very bright and bubbly,” greeting everyone with a big smile. With pride, he recalls,
“Very friendly, very outgoing.”
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As the oldest of five children, Taylor served as the foundation of their family, maintaining close relationships with her siblings and regularly checking in on them.
The deep bond between Taylor and her parents becomes evident in how quickly they sensed something amiss when she failed to call on Mother’s Day, which coincided with Stephen’s birthday. Stephen explained,
“It kind of hit us early in the day. We haven’t heard from her in a week and a half, two weeks at this point.”
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That night, they began filing a missing person’s report with authorities.
Leslie Mandeville, Taylor’s mother, demonstrated remarkable strength throughout the ordeal.
When news of Ware’s indictment finally arrived, Leslie told reporters she
“I sobbed for a good 10 hours feeling relief, sadness, everything has been so painful. We are grateful we reached the point of charges; that is what we hoped for.”
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The couple, who married on May 15, 1996, have remained united through this unimaginable tragedy.
Throughout the investigation, Leslie organized rallies and public awareness campaigns, often featuring Taylor’s favorite color—pink.
During one such rally outside the Montgomery County courthouse, Leslie explained,
“Everyone out here has on pink because that’s very Taylor. Her very first car was a Mustang and she had it painted, truly the color of the shirts.”
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The parents faced the difficult task of explaining Taylor’s disappearance and death to her four younger siblings.
Leslie shared,
“We told all the kids together, but made sure we had one-on-one time with them as well. I was thankful we could all get through it together.”
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Stephen added poignantly,
“Knowing that her younger brother and sisters will never see her potential in life or be influenced by her—that kills me. I know how much they loved her.”
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Both parents have been unwavering in their calls for justice. After Ware’s indictment, Leslie stated,
“I want him convicted and to spend the rest of his life in jail.”
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Stephen echoed this sentiment with a simple, powerful question:
“Taylor will never live another day of her life free, why should he?”
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After Taylor’s memorial service at Katy First United Methodist Church, Leslie expressed their ongoing grief on social media:
“We are not and never will be ready to say goodbye, but Taylor is home with God.”
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Through their courage and persistence, Stephen Pomaski and Leslie Mandeville have ensured that Taylor’s story continues to be told, serving as advocates not just for their daughter but for all victims of domestic violence.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Leslie, originally from Glen Ellyn, Illinois, moved with the family to Katy, Texas, in 2012, and later to Copper City in 2013.
- Stephen works as an Associate Director in IT project management and infrastructure architecture, bringing his professional problem-solving skills to the painful search for answers about his daughter.
- She previously had a long-term relationship with Eric Zuleger before dating Kevin Ware Jr.
