Woman found shot dead on Winchester Road in Lexington’s first homicide of 2025
A 27-year-old woman was killed Thursday in Lexington’s first homicide of the year, according to the Lexington Police Department.
Police were called just after 11:15 a.m. to the 1100 block of Winchester Road, where they found a woman unresponsive. WKYT reported the incident happened at the Sportsman Motel.
The woman was declared dead on scene by the Fayette County Coroner’s Office. The coroner’s office later identified the woman as Helen Taylor, of Lexington.
Investigators determined Taylor was shot, according to police. The coroner’s office listed her cause of death as a gunshot wound.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Lincoln Ogata, a family member of Taylor’s, said she loved to laugh and enjoyed music.
“Her family and friends who loved her will miss her smile that could light up a room,” Ogata said.
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact Lexington police at 859-258-3600. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Bluegrass Crime Stoppers by calling (859) 253-2020 or by filling out an anonymous form online at www.bluegrasscrimestoppers.com.
The shooting marks the city’s first homicide of 2025, according to police crime data. Last year the city had 22 homicides, two fewer than the 2023 total and 22 less than the record-setting year of 2022.
Lexington didn’t record last year’s first homicide until early February, according to police data.
This story was originally published January 17, 2025 at 6:40 AM.
