Home Suspects Persons of Interest Theories Skyla & Taylor Discussion

In the Media News Reward Contact Links Credits

Skyla Whitaker & Taylor Pachal-Placker

June 9, 2009 CrimeShadows News Special: Weleetka, Oklahoma: One Year of Heartbreak

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Taylor Placker, 13 and Skyla Whitaker, 11, were shot and killed on County Line Road near the small town of Weleetka in Okfuskee County, about 90 miles east of Oklahoma City. The girls had spent the night at Placker’s rural home near Weleetka. The two girls started on their way to a nearby bridge --a popular hangout for young people in the area. This was around 5:00 PM. Shortly after they left the Placker home, Skyla’s mother called to say that she was coming to pick up her daughter. Peter Placker, Taylor’s grandfather, tried to reach Taylor on her cell phone to tell them to come home. When Taylor didn't answer, Placker then walked down the dirt road in search of the girls. He found the girls at approximately 5:20 PM --shot to death on the side of the road. Their bodies were located several hundred yards from the Placker’s house.

A family member called 911 and the Okfuskee County Sheriff Department arrived at the location. The sheriff requested help from the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation. The OSBI discovered that two different caliber weapons were used on each of the girls, indicating the possibility that two or more shooters are involved --or that one shooter used two guns.

At the scene, OSBI crime scene agents collected several pieces of possible evidence in the case. Among those items were tire track impressions, shoe impressions, and bullet casings. One of the guns used in the murders was a .40 caliber weapon. Peter Placker’s computer, which was used by Taylor, his granddaughter, was searched. Nothing significant was discovered.

DNA evidence has been discovered by investigators. Jessica Brown told The Oklahoman the evidence was "something of significance" but no details were provided.

The 911 Call

The Bridge

Case Documents

Grand Jury

Have You Seen This Man?
Click for More Information

Print Poster

If you have any information about this crime, please, call either the OSBI Hotline at 800-522-8017 or the Okfuskee County Sheriff’s Office at 918-623-1122.