Police say no foul play suspected in death of New Salem fugitive

By MICHAEL CONNORS

Staff Writer

Published: 10-28-2020 4:06 PM

HOLYOKE — Police do not suspect foul play in the death of Cory Taylor, 41, the fugitive with a part-time residence in New Salem whose body was found last week after he made bail at a local county jail in August and then disappeared.

James Leydon, spokesperson for Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni, confirmed Saturday that Taylor’s body was found at 545 Main St. in Holyoke. On Tuesday, Leydon said police do not suspect foul play and that the death remains under investigation.

Taylor was arrested on Aug. 21 in Pelham when State Police allegedly found 138 pounds of marijuana in a van he was driving. He was brought to the Hampshire County House of Correction, where he was bailed out the same day. Taylor did not appear for his arraignment in Eastern Hampshire District Court in Belchertown, according to police and court records.

Police gained consent to search a house Taylor’s mother owns at 2 Fay Road in New Salem. Taylor’s mother reportedly told police that her son lived at the residence but slept elsewhere at times. There, law enforcement said they found 37 cars valued at more than $1 million.

Police also raided a converted firehouse with significant high-end renovations at 452 Main St. in Holyoke that law enforcement suspected Taylor used as a base of operations for an illegal marijuana operation. The Aug. 22 search yielded 188 pounds of marijuana, 24 illegal guns, eight cars and $4,049,000 in cash. According to records filed with the Hampden County Registry of Deeds, Taylor had bought this property, then transferred it to a trust he created.

Law enforcement had warned the public in August that Taylor, as a fugitive, was believed to be armed and dangerous.

Michael Connors can be reached at mconnors@gazettenet.com.

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