Evil Lives Here, April 7, 285 Investigation Discovery, “He Shot Through My Heart”

In a brand new episode of Evil Lives Here titled “He Shot Through My Heart,” airing on ID on Sunday April 7, viewers will witness the harrowing story of LaTonya and Nathan. LaTonya believed that her husband, Nathan, was her closest confidant and best friend. However, as the years passed, she endured emotional abuse at his hands.

LaTonya Taylor, a 32-year-old mother of three, and her ex-husband, Nathan Holden, found themselves at the centre of a tragic and violent incident that unfolded on 9 April 2014. The events of that day left LaTonya fighting for her life and resulted in the deaths of her parents, Angelia and Sylvester Taylor.

The couple’s marriage had been strained, and LaTonya had filed for divorce, moving in with her parents, Angelia and Sylvester, in Wendell, North Carolina. Nathan, who had a history of domestic violence and had threatened LaTonya and her family, did not take the separation well. LaTonya even obtained a restraining order against him, citing his threats and the fact that he owned a gun.

On the night of 9 April, LaTonya returned home from Bible study with her mother and daughters. As they arrived, they heard Nathan’s truck nearby. LaTonya, sensing something amiss, rushed her children into a closet and called 911 to report gunshots. What followed was a terrifying ordeal as Nathan shot Angelia and Sylvester, and then turned the gun on LaTonya, shooting her in the face and chest before the gun jammed. He then beat her with the butt of the pistol, leaving her with life-threatening injuries.

LaTonya’s oldest son, Jeremy, who was about 15 years old at the time, witnessed the shooting and immediately identified his father as the shooter. LaTonya’s two younger daughters, aged eight, were also in the home but were unharmed. After the shooting, Nathan hugged his children, told them he loved them, and called 911 before fleeing the scene.

The Wake County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 911 calls, and deputies identified Nathan as the suspect, tracing him to his home and eventually to a nearby field, where an exchange of gunfire occurred between Nathan and the deputies. He was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of Angelia and Sylvester, and one count of attempted murder for the attack on LaTonya.

The trial of Nathan Holden began in February 2017, and he was found guilty of all charges. The jury agreed that the crimes were committed during the course of another felony, which led to the guilty verdict for first-degree murder, despite the defence’s argument against premeditation. The sentencing phase followed, and Nathan faced the possibility of the death penalty or life in prison.

LaTonya, a survivor, testified during the trial, recalling the horrific night and begging for her life. She described the impact of the attack, which left her with injuries to her face and chest, and how she spent eight days in the hospital recovering. She expressed her determination to attend her parents’ funeral and shared her struggles with the aftermath of the tragedy.

Nathan Holden was ultimately sentenced to consecutive terms of life in prison without the possibility of parole, as well as an additional 240 to 300 months. He is currently incarcerated at the Mountain View Correctional Institution in Spruce Pine, North Carolina.

LaTonya, a strong and resilient woman, has since become a motivational speaker, sharing her story and raising awareness about domestic violence. She is also working on a memoir, titled ‘Graced to Recover,’ to provide further insight into her life and experiences.

Tune in to Investigation Discovery on Sunday, April 7 at 9:00 PM for this gripping episode of Evil Lives Here.