Southern Mysteries Podcast

State Solicitor George Bailes described the murder of Faye New as the most heinous crime ever committed in Jefferson County, Alabama. Faye New's story is shrouded in mystery and sorrow. She was a lively young woman, renowned for her warm smile and compassionate nature. In 1934, tragedy struck when she disappeared after agreeing to accompany a young man for a car ride on a summer evening. Search parties were organized, and the next day, Faye's lifeless body was discovered in a ditch at the edge of a cornfield. For months, local newspapers extensively covered every aspect of this murder mystery. Was it a crime of passion committed by a young man who professed his love for her? Or did the man who offered her a ride bring an end to a promising young life?

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Episode Sources

• Encyclopedia Alabama: Irondale, Alabama


• BhamWiki: Woodlawn


• Findagrave: Faye News


• Findagrave: Ashley Cain


• Findagrave: Dorsie New


• Findagrave: Lonnie New


• The Birmingham News: Woodlawn High Senior Faye New. February 9, 1930


• The Birmingham Post-Herald: Co Ed Missing; 2 Men Quizzed. August 22, 1934.


• The Birmingham News: Girl Found Dead. August 22, 1934.


• The Birmingham Age-Herald: Taylor is Jailed in Co-ed Death. August 23, 1934


• The Birmingham News: Police, Solicitor, Increase Activity in Taylor’s Case. August 25, 1934.


• The Birmingham News: Special Jury Probes Murder of Faye New. August 27, 1934.


• The Birmingham Post-Herald: Co Ed Death Jury Indicts Taylor. August 28, 1934.


• The Birmingham News: 34 to be Called in Taylor Trial. August 28, 1934.


• The Birmingham News: Jury is selected with hearing of witnesses next. September 4, 1934


• The Birmingham News: Cain is calm as lawyer charges him with killing. September 6, 1934


• The Birmingham News: Harold Taylor Gives His Version of Fatal Ride with Faye New. September 7, 1934.


• The Birmingham News: Taylor Repeats Denial of Guilt. September 7, 1934.


• The Birmingham News: Taylor’s Fate Now in Jury’s Hands.September 8, 1934


• The Birmingham News: Faye New’s Death is still a baffling puzzle to police. September 10, 1934


• The Birmingham News: Mother of Slain Faye New Weeps. September 10, 1934.


• The Atlanta Constitution: Taylor is Cleared of Attack Charge. September 11, 1934


• The Birmingham Post: Detectives Back on Co-Ed Murder. September 12, 1934


• The Birmingham Post-Herald: Taylor, Freed, Is Happy at Home. September 10, 1934.


• The Birmingham Post: Harold Taylor Fined as Drunk. June 12, 1935


• The Birmingham Post: Father and Son Will Face Peace Warrants. October 23, 1935.


• The Birmingham Post: Charges dropped against father and son. November 2, 1935


• The Birmingham News: Faye New’s Diary Is Buried with Slain Co-ed. August 25, 1936.


• The Birmingham Post: Faye New Father Succombs. December 31, 1936.


• The Birmingham Post: Faye New Slaying, Six Years Old, Still Unsolved. August 19, 1940.

Episode Music

Out of the Mines, courtesy of Ross Gentry, Asheville, North Carolina.