Photo Courtesy of Nueces County
Laura Day’s story is one that still haunts many in Texas. She was convicted of murdering her stepson, six-year-old Taylor Syring, in 2012. What seemed like a tragic drowning accident turned into a chilling crime case.
A Seemingly Innocent Trip to the Beach
On October 5, 2012, Laura Day took Taylor to the beach in Corpus Christi, Texas. According to her, it was a fun, spontaneous trip. However, Taylor’s mother, Kelly Syring, had always been strict about water safety. She knew Taylor couldn’t swim well, so she never allowed him near water without a life jacket.
Day claimed she had bought Taylor a life vest but said he took it off before getting in the water. Moments later, she found him floating facedown. She pulled him from the water, rushed him to the hospital, but it was too late. Taylor was gone.
A Story That Didn’t Add Up
At first, it looked like a tragic accident. But investigators quickly noticed inconsistencies in Day’s story. Witnesses said they never saw Taylor wearing a life jacket. Store records showed Day bought the vest after the drowning, not before.
Then, there was her behavior. Instead of calling 911 immediately, Day drove to a nearby fast-food restaurant to get water to rinse Taylor off. To authorities, this delay raised red flags. Why waste precious time if she was truly trying to save him?
Laura Day’s Dark Past
As police dug deeper, they discovered shocking details about Laura Day’s past. She had a history of deception, manipulation, and violence.
In the 1980s, she was convicted of attempted murder in California. She had tried to kill a former boyfriend. After serving time, she moved to Texas, changed her name, and started over. No one in Taylor’s family knew about her past.
The Trial and Conviction
Prosecutors argued that Day deliberately let Taylor drown. They believed she never intended to save him and later tried to cover up her actions. The jury agreed. In 2013, she was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison.
During her trial, Day insisted she was innocent. She claimed she loved Taylor and would never hurt him. But the evidence told a different story.
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The Family’s Heartbreak
Taylor Syring’s parents were devastated. His mother, Kelly, had never trusted Laura Day. She had felt uneasy about her from the start. Taylor’s father, David Syring, had married Day just months before the tragedy.
After the conviction, David stood by Laura. He believed she was innocent. However, Kelly saw justice in the jury’s decision. She lost her son, but she knew his killer would never be free again.
Lessons from This Case
This heartbreaking case reminds us to trust our instincts, especially when it comes to children’s safety. Kelly Syring had a bad feeling about Laura Day, but there was little she could do to prevent what happened.
It also highlights the importance of background checks. Had Taylor’s family known about Day’s past, things might have been different.
Where Is Laura Day Now?
Laura Day remains in a Texas prison, serving a life sentence without parole. Despite her claims of innocence, she has exhausted her appeals.
The memory of Taylor Syring lives on. His family continues to honor him, sharing his story to help prevent similar tragedies.
Lisa Crow contributed to this article. She is a true crime junkie and lifestyle blogger based in Waco, Texas. Lisa is the Head of Content at Gigi’s Ramblings and Southern Bred True Crime Junkie. She spends her free time traveling when she can and making memories with her large family which consists of six children and fifteen grandchildren.
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