Body Of Missing Ariana Taylor Found South Of Crash Site
UPDATE – The Lake County Coroner’s Office announced an update regarding the death of Ariana Taylor, whose body was found yesterday near Bellaboos.
“A forensic autopsy was performed today and its preliminary findings are consistent with trauma from a motor vehicle accident, complicated with drowning. Other results are pending including toxicology.
Manner of Death : Accident
On Wednesday, April 13, 2022 around 10:30 AM The NWI K9 Search & Rescue with police were searching an area where Ariana Taylor’s SUV was found crashed near Bellaboo’s Playland in Lake Station when a dog detected a scent, according to Gary Police Commander Jack Hamady.
The dog hinted at an enclosed area between the I-65 off ramp and a fence which secures a drainage ditch just to the north of Bellaboo’s. Police were called over and the body of missing Ariana Taylor was found in the shallow ditch.
Gary and Indiana State Police secured the scene till Lake County CSI and The Lake County Coroner could arrive. The mother of Ariana Taylor was on scene while this was ongoing and was informed of the discovery. As of 5:00 PM Wednesday The Lake County Coroner has not determined the cause of death.
Sources close to the investigation have hinted that she was injured from the crash and attempted to find help by walking back south a little over a mile where she may have jumped over a barrier and fell into the ditch with her keys found nearby her location. Update – After walking the terrain we believe she made it into the enclosed area near private property just south of 80/94.
A missing person report was filed back on April 3rd with the Sheriff Department after Taylor never came back to her home in Tiberon Trails in unincorporated Lake County after a night out with friends. Gary Police took over that missing person report after officers were called to an abandoned car found off Dakota St & Central that came off I-65 early that Sunday morning and police connected the two. No one was found in or around the car including the keys to the smashed vehicle. A foot search by Gary officers and a Gary K-9 was conducted at that time along with air search by the Lake County Sheriff helicopter with no results. The friends and others she was with were questioned and not considered suspects.
A security guard at Tiberon Trails was the last person to see Taylor that night in question after she allegedly “sped away recklessly” from the complex.
Family, friends, and residents searched daily with no results or answers. On April 10th at approximately 4:40 PM a small hope of closure came after Officers were dispatched to the area of 15th Avenue and Lake Street for what was believed to be a body in the grassy area called in by a NIPSCO worker. Family in the area searching rushed to that scene only to find out it was a sex doll wrapped tightly in sheets. The doll appeared like it was dumped there prior to this incident occurring.
Check back to this article for updates and official autopsy reports on the cause of death.
