CASE: He B*ried His Wife… Then Became Rich
CASE FILE: THE AMANDA BLACKBURN HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION
He Buried His Wife… Then Became Rich: The Shocking Truth Behind the “Holy” Family
Home Invasion, Murder & Public Controversy Investigation Report
Narrative by Detective Brian Coldwel
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department – Major Crimes Division
PROLOGUE – THE PASTOR’S HOME THAT BECAME A CRIME SCENE
Some murder cases begin with a stranger entering the victim’s life.
Others begin when a peaceful home, a family, and a community’s sense of safety are destroyed in a single morning.
On November 10, 2015, a quiet Indianapolis neighborhood became the scene of a tragedy that shocked thousands of people across the country.
The home belonged to Davy Blackburn, a young pastor known for his Christian ministry and community work.
Inside that home was his pregnant wife, Amanda Blackburn.
Amanda was 28 years old.
She was a devoted mother.
A woman deeply committed to her faith.
A wife preparing to welcome another child into the world.
But that morning, everything changed.
After returning from the gym, Davy Blackburn opened the front door and discovered his wife lying unconscious on the living room floor.
The scene was horrifying.
Blood covered the room.
The house had been disturbed.
Amanda had suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
Her young son was still inside the home.
Emergency responders rushed Amanda to the hospital, but the injuries were too severe.
The following day, Amanda died.
Her unborn daughter, later named Everly Grace, also did not survive.
The tragedy devastated Indianapolis and the Christian community that knew the Blackburn family.
At first, investigators believed the attack was a robbery gone wrong.
A series of burglaries had occurred in the neighborhood that same morning.
A stolen vehicle.
A missing purse.
Bank card activity.
Surveillance footage.
Slowly, detectives began connecting the pieces.
The investigation eventually led to three suspects:
Larry Taylor.
Jaylen Watson.
Dante Gordon.
Prosecutors argued that the men entered the Blackburn home during a burglary, attacked Amanda, and left behind a trail of evidence that would expose them.
But years later, another controversy surrounded the case.
After Amanda’s killers were convicted, public attention shifted toward Davy Blackburn himself.
Questions emerged about his rapid financial recovery, his public platform, his new marriage, and his decision to build a media career around his tragedy.
Supporters viewed him as a man of forgiveness who rebuilt his life after unimaginable loss.
Critics questioned whether his actions appeared too calculated.
The murder case was solved.
The killers were convicted.
But the public debate surrounding the Blackburn family continued.
CHAPTER 1 – THE LIFE OF AMANDA BLACKBURN
Before becoming the victim of a nationally known murder case, Amanda Grace Blackburn lived a life centered around faith and family.
Amanda was born on July 31, 1987, in Muskegon, Michigan.
She later moved to Indiana with her family.
She graduated from Elkhart Christian Academy in 2006.
She continued her education at Pensacola Christian College, where she earned an associate degree.
From childhood, Amanda was raised in a deeply religious household.
Her father was a pastor.
Faith was not simply part of her life.
It shaped her identity.
Those close to Amanda described her as:
Gentle
Caring
Compassionate
Devoted
She was known for helping others and making people feel valued.
CHAPTER 2 – THE LOVE STORY WITH DAVY BLACKBURN
Amanda met Davy Blackburn through a Christian music event.
Their meeting was arranged through mutual friends.
At the time, they were attending different universities.
Their relationship developed through:
Long conversations
Shared beliefs
Distance and commitment
They described their relationship as a spiritual connection.
They attended premarital counseling.
They focused on building communication and trust.
On August 1, 2008, Amanda and Davy married.
Friends described the marriage as a relationship built around faith.
CHAPTER 3 – BUILDING A FAMILY AND A MINISTRY
After marriage, Amanda and Davy spent several years in South Carolina.
Davy worked in ministry.
Later, he wanted to create a church focused on young adults.
The couple moved to Indianapolis in 2012.
Together, they helped establish a new church community.
Their online presence grew.
They shared messages about:
Relationships
Faith
Marriage
Christian values
In 2014, their first child, Weston Blackburn, was born.
The family appeared to have achieved the life they had dreamed about.
CHAPTER 4 – THE MORNING OF NOVEMBER 10, 2015
At approximately 6:00 a.m., Davy Blackburn left home to go to the gym.
According to his statement, he left the front door unlocked.
When he returned, he entered the home.
What he found changed everything.
Amanda was lying on the living room floor.
She was critically injured.
The house showed signs of violence.
Belongings were scattered.
A purse had been emptied.
Their child was upstairs.
Davy immediately called 911.
CHAPTER 5 – THE 911 CALL AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
First responders arrived within minutes.
Amanda was transported to the hospital.
Doctors attempted emergency treatment.
But her injuries were too severe.
She died the next day.
Her unborn daughter also died.
The community mourned.
Thousands of people expressed grief online.
A memorial service later drew more than 2,000 attendees.
CHAPTER 6 – THE CRIME SCENE
Investigators examined the Blackburn home.
They discovered:
Signs of a struggle
Stolen belongings
Blood evidence
Evidence suggesting forced entry
Amanda had suffered:
Multiple gunshot wounds
Injuries from a physical struggle
The attack appeared extremely violent.
Investigators believed the killer had confronted Amanda directly.
CHAPTER 7 – THE INITIAL THEORY: A ROBBERY GONE WRONG
The first theory was not a targeted murder.
It was burglary.
That same morning, several nearby homes had reported break-ins.
Authorities discovered a pattern:
A stolen vehicle.
Missing electronics.
Stolen purses.
Bank cards being used.
The question became:
Was Amanda killed because she encountered burglars inside her home?
CHAPTER 8 – THE NEIGHBORHOOD CRIME SPREE
Investigators discovered several connected incidents.
Earlier that morning:
A woman reported that her:
Phone
Laptop
Purse
Keys
had been stolen.
Another home reported:
Electronics missing
Jewelry stolen
Clothing taken
One stolen item became especially important:
A pink sweater.
CHAPTER 9 – THE PINK SWEATER CLUE
The stolen pink sweater became a major piece of evidence.
Investigators found it connected to the suspects.
A person had reportedly used the sweater to cover their face during an ATM transaction.
Security footage captured the activity.
DNA testing later connected Jaylen Watson to the sweater.
This became one of the first major breakthroughs.
CHAPTER 10 – TRACKING THE SUSPECTS
Investigators examined:
Phone records
Surveillance footage
Financial transactions
They discovered connections between:
Jaylen Watson
Dante Gordon
Larry Taylor
Phone data placed suspects near important locations.
The evidence began building a timeline.
CHAPTER 11 – THE MURDER WEAPON
Investigators recovered a firearm connected to the crime.
Ballistics testing confirmed:
The weapon was used in Amanda Blackburn’s murder.
The investigation now had:
Suspects
A weapon
Digital evidence
Physical evidence
CHAPTER 12 – THE ARRESTS
After weeks of investigation, authorities arrested:
Larry Taylor
Accused of being the shooter.
Jaylen Watson
Connected through DNA and evidence.
Dante Gordon
Connected through the robbery investigation.
CHAPTER 13 – LARRY TAYLOR’S CONFESSION
During questioning, Larry Taylor admitted involvement.
According to investigators, he claimed Amanda confronted him during the burglary.
He admitted shooting her.
Prosecutors argued that Taylor returned after his accomplices left and committed the fatal attack.
CHAPTER 14 – THE PROSECUTION’S THEORY
Prosecutors argued that the Blackburn home was targeted as part of a burglary spree.
Their theory:
The men entered looking for valuables.
Amanda encountered them.
The situation escalated.
Taylor killed her.
The prosecution argued that the crime was not accidental.
It was a violent consequence of a planned criminal act.
CHAPTER 15 – THE DEFENSE ARGUMENTS
Defense arguments differed between defendants.
Some attempted to reduce their responsibility.
Others argued they were not responsible for Amanda’s death.
However, prosecutors presented:
DNA evidence
Surveillance footage
Phone records
Witness testimony
CHAPTER 16 – THE TRIAL AND CONVICTIONS
The first trial ended in a mistrial after a juror issue.
A second trial took place in 2022.
Larry Taylor was convicted.
He received:
86 years in prison
Jaylen Watson and Dante Gordon accepted plea agreements.
Their sentences ranged from:
20 to 35 years.
CHAPTER 17 – DAVY BLACKBURN AFTER THE TRAGEDY
After Amanda’s death, Davy publicly spoke about forgiveness.
He stated that although he felt anger and pain, he chose forgiveness.
He continued his ministry.
He created a platform called:
“Nothing Is Wasted.”
The message focused on:
Healing
Faith
Turning tragedy into purpose
CHAPTER 18 – THE CONTROVERSY AFTER JUSTICE
Years after the convictions, public attention shifted.
Some people questioned Davy’s rapid recovery.
They focused on:
His public appearances
His media work
His financial situation
His new marriage
Supporters argued that rebuilding life after tragedy was a personal choice.
Critics questioned whether the speed of his transformation appeared unusual.
CHAPTER 19 – THE LIFE INSURANCE AND NEW HOME QUESTIONS
Reports highlighted that Davy received Amanda’s life insurance payout after her death.
Later, he sold the home where Amanda was murdered.
He purchased a new property.
The decision created debate.
Some viewed it as a normal attempt to move forward.
Others questioned whether it happened too quickly.
CHAPTER 20 – THE FORGIVENESS MESSAGE
One of the most discussed aspects of Davy’s public image was his forgiveness toward Amanda’s killers.
He stated that forgiveness was central to his faith.
He said he did not want hatred to control his future.
For many supporters, this represented strength.
For critics, it raised questions about his public presentation.
FINAL NOTE – DETECTIVE BRIAN COLDWEL
The Amanda Blackburn case is a tragedy built from several painful realities.
A young mother.
An unborn child.
A family destroyed by violence.
Three criminals who entered a home looking for valuables and left behind a devastating loss.
The investigation showed how small pieces of evidence:
A stolen sweater
A bank transaction
Phone records
DNA
could uncover the truth.
But the case also demonstrates something else:
Even after a criminal investigation ends, public questions can continue.
Amanda Blackburn’s legacy remains connected to the people who loved her.
She was not only remembered because of how she died.
She was remembered because of how she lived.
A mother.
A wife.
A person who dedicated herself to helping others.
CASE STATUS: CLOSED – CONVICTIONS OBTAINED
DEFENDANTS: LARRY TAYLOR / JAYLEN WATSON / DANTE GORDON
VICTIM: AMANDA BLACKBURN
KEY EVIDENCE: DNA / SURVEILLANCE FOOTAGE / ATM RECORDS / FIREARM ANALYSIS
