A Bradenton man already jailed on an attempted murder charge involving the stabbing of a 15-year-old boy is now accused of killing a 44-year-old woman.
Manatee County homicide detectives have charged 34-year-old Quazone Elijawun Taylor with second-degree murder in the death of Starr Lashua, 44. Taylor was served with the murder warrant on Thursday, Sept. 10, at the Manatee County Jail.
Taylor had been in custody since Aug. 24 in connection with the stabbing of a teenager six days earlier. Investigators said the 15-year-old was stabbed multiple times outside a home in the 600 block of 33rd Avenue Drive East in Bradenton, suffering wounds to his neck and upper body.
According to a Sept. 11 update from the Manatee Homicide Investigation Unit, detectives investigating the stabbing conducted witness interviews and collected forensic evidence that ultimately connected Taylor to Lashua’s death.
Investigators said Taylor had been hiding at a duplex in the 700 block of 59th Avenue East while he was wanted in connection with the Aug. 18 stabbing.
Authorities have not released additional details about Lashua’s death, including the circumstances surrounding her death or a possible motive. Investigators also have not publicly described the forensic evidence they say links Taylor to the case.
Taylor remains charged with second-degree murder in Lashua’s death and attempted murder in connection with the teenage stabbing.
The charges are accusations, and Taylor is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
