A Colorado family is shattered after a mother of two was killed inside her home, allegedly by her husband. What began as a claim of an “accidental shooting” has turned into a domestic violence murder case, according to police.
The Shooting in Aurora
On the morning of September 7, officers from the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home on Shawnee Way in Aurora. Inside, they found 29-year-old Taylor Dawn Last dead from a gunshot wound to the chest.
Her husband, 36-year-old David O’Grady, told 911 dispatchers that he was “clearing his gun” when it accidentally fired, striking Taylor. He claimed he attempted CPR on her for nearly an hour before calling for help.
What Investigators Found
Police say the details O’Grady provided did not match the evidence. According to the arrest affidavit, O’Grady admitted that he and his wife had been in the middle of an argument before the shooting.
Investigators say he knowingly fired a shot into the bed and then pointed the gun toward Taylor as she entered the room, pulling the trigger. The bullet struck her in the chest, killing her instantly.
When officers entered the home, they found Taylor lying on her back with her arm across her chest. Her body was already cold and stiff, showing she had been dead for hours before the 911 call.
Children Witnessed the Chaos
The couple’s daughters, ages 6 and 4, were asleep in a shared bedroom nearby. They told investigators they woke to the sound of “loud arguing” and a “bang.” One child recalled seeing O’Grady throw something at Taylor before she collapsed on the bed.
Police also noted “broken colorful items” in the bedroom that were no longer there when officers arrived, raising questions about possible cleanup before authorities were called.
Family’s Heartbreak
Taylor’s aunt has described the killing as a “tragic act of domestic violence” and has set up a GoFundMe to support the two young girls now left without both parents.
“She was a loving mother to her two beautiful little girls,” the fundraiser reads, noting that the younger child’s birthday fell just days after her mother’s death. “The unthinkable happened — their father was responsible, and now he is in jail.”
Charges and Court Appearance
O’Grady has been charged with first-degree murder and domestic violence. He is being held in custody without bond and is scheduled to make his first court appearance on September 11.
What began as an “accidental discharge” story has unfolded into what police call a devastating case of domestic violence. A young mother is gone, her children are left without parents, and a community is grappling with another reminder of how quickly violence can destroy lives.
