Ex-Lovers, Thomas Watson and Tara Shermehorn found dead

An Arizona woman who was apparently kidnapped from her Maricopa County home was found dead along with her captor today in a suspected murder-suicide.

The bodies of Thomas Watson, 43, and his ex-girlfriend, Tara Shermerhorn, 31, were found in Watson's truck parked near Horse Thief Basin, a central Arizona recreation area, Goodyear police spokesman Ralph McLaughlin told AOL News.

Thomas Watson and ex-girlfriend Tara Shermerhorn were found dead today by Arizona authorities, who believe he may have abducted her. Watson left a suicide note behind that explained his actions.
The discovery was made about 10 a.m. (MST) by deputies with the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office, according to McLaughlin. A cause of death and positive identification is pending

"The families [have] been notified," McLaughlin said. "We're 99 percent sure that it's them based on our descriptions and what not."

Watson and McLaughlin were residents of Goodyear, a city about 20 miles west of Phoenix. They broke up in December, but were still involved in some sort of business venture together, police said.

Officers received a missing-person report for Watson at about 5 a.m. Thursday.

"[He left] what we call a suicide note behind," McLaughlin said.

Co-workers of Shermerhorn last saw her at 9 p.m. Wednesday, when she clocked out and left for home. She was supposed to pick up her niece from school Thursday, but she never showed up. Concerned family members found her car parked in her driveway. They contacted police when they were unable to locate her.

Early on in the investigation, Watson's phone was "pinged," and it was reported to have been located near I-17, north of Phoenix. His phone has since been shut off. Investigators also pinged Shermerhorn's phone, and it appeared to be stationary, near the Crown King area in Yavapai County.

According to a former FBI agent who has worked on dozens of missing-person cases, cell phone pings can be extremely useful in finding missing people.

"Cell phones are in constant communication with surrounding towers, and they can place you within a triangle of those towers that your cell phone hit off of," Harold Copus, now head of Copus Security Consultants in Atlanta, told AOL News. "The ping won't give them an exact location, but they can significantly narrow down where the cell phone is at."

In this case, McLaughlin said, investigators had triangulated the phones and got them down to a one-mile radius of where they were at the time they pinged the towers.

The search for Watson and Shermerhorn was based in the areas indicated by the cell phone signals. According to McLaughlin, the truck containing the bodies was found "in that general area."

Authorities say Watson may have had a history of violence toward women.

"Yes, there is a history of domestic violence that I am hearing from the deputy," McLaughlin said. "I haven't confirmed anything yet, [but allegedly] in South Dakota with his ex-wife, who happens to also be named Tara."

More details are expected to be released once the coroner completes his investigation into the case police said.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of both of the victims," McLaughlin said.
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They were a very good looking couple.
Everyone has problems, though.
Too sad.

Cousin: 'There's a hole in so many hearts'

Updated: Saturday, 05 Feb 2011, 10:02 PM MST
Published : Saturday, 05 Feb 2011, 5:25 PM MST

PHOENIX - It appears to be a tragic ending to a sad story -- bodies found north of the valley are believed to be a former couple who went missing on Thursday. They were found dead after what looks like a case of a murder-suicide.

Tara Shermerhorn’s family suspected her ex-boyfriend may have kidnapped her and held her against her will, and on Friday, their suspicions were confirmed.

Shermerhorn's cousin talked to FOX 10 Saturday afternoon, although it was clear it was very painful for her to talk. She said she wanted the world to know that Shermerhorn was a best friend, a sister, and a daughter who was loved very much by her family.

“There's just so much family, and there's so many people -- so much loss. There’s a hole in so many hearts. I don’t know how you put one foot in front of the other and go on without her,” Virginia Mungovan said.

She said she thought of her cousin as a sister.

She said Shermerhorn was spontaneous and a people person who approached every day as a new adventure.

“I keep feeling like she's just going to walk through the door. I just think it feels like a bad movie. It's not real,” Mungovan said.

Investigators found Shermerhorn Friday inside a truck near the Horse Thief Basin recreation area north of the valley.

The body of her ex, 47-year-old Thomas Watson, was there too. Police said they suspect he shot his ex, and then turned the gun on himself.

The couple had broken up in December after dating for about a year.

“I don't know there's an answer to why. I don't feel there is ever an answer to why that's good enough or that's ever going to make sense,” Mungovan said.

She said her family sends their condolences out to Watson's family, but beyond that, said she can't discuss him or the case.

She just wants people to know her cousin, a psychology major at Estrella Community College, had big hopes, big dreams , and most of all -- a big heart.

“It definitely makes you think not to let a day go by without telling people you love you love them. You don't know if they're going to be gone. You don’t know when the last time you see them is,” Mungovan said.

Shermerhorn leaves behind several relatives, including five siblings, including two who are pregnant right now.

An autopsy is scheduled for Monday, and funeral arrangements are pending.


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RIP Tara Shermerhorn facebook
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Time
Thursday, February 10 · 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Location Radiant Church
15522 West Paradise Lane
Created By
R.I.P. Tara Shermerhorn
More Info Visitation To be Held at 6:00 PM Thursday, February 10th at Radiant Church in Surprise, Arizona.

Funeral Service will be at 1:00 PM Friday, February 11th at Radiant Church in Surprise Arizona.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made at any Bank of America location to the "Tara Shermerhorn Memorial Trust".

This is so sad and so senseless.
RIP Tara