Unraveled Truths: The Mystery of Lauren Agee’s Death - Part 1 Posted Now!

Lauren Taylor Agee, affectionately known as Taylor to her father’s side of the family, including her sister Alison Bivens, was a 21-year-old whose infectious energy, love for sports, and devotion to her family made her a beloved figure in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Born on August 19, 1993, in Biloxi, Mississippi, Taylor was a criminal justice major at Bethel University with dreams of becoming a victims’ advocate, reflecting her empathetic and courageous spirit. Her life was brutally cut short on July 26, 2015, during WakeFest at Center Hill Lake, in what I firmly believe was a murder, despite the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office’s flawed investigation ruling it an accident. Led by her mother, Sherry Smith, and sister, Alison, who lovingly calls her Taylor, and supported by private investigator Sheila Wysocki, the Agee family’s decade-long quest for justice, amplified through Alison’s blog, TikTok, and media like the Dark Dialogue and Without Warning podcasts, seeks to unravel the truths behind Taylor’s murder. This blog post celebrates Taylor’s vibrant life, her family’s enduring grief, and their fight for answers in a case marred by investigative failures.

Taylor: A Beacon of Joy and Determination                             

Lauren “Taylor” Agee was a dynamic young woman whose radiant smile and adventurous spirit captivated those around her. Raised in Hendersonville with her mother, Sherry Smith; stepfather, Michael Smith; and sister, Alison Bivens, Taylor was the heart of her family. To her father’s side, including Alison, she was always Taylor, a name that carried a special warmth and connection to her heritage. She excelled in softball, playing competitively through high school, and trained in ballet, performing with the Sumner County dance team, showcasing her grace and athleticism. As a criminal justice student, Taylor was driven by a passion to help victims of crime, a calling that mirrored her compassionate nature.

Her love for life shone through in her hobbies—wakeboarding, cliff-jumping, and spontaneous adventures with friends. Sherry described her as “vibrant” and “lively,” someone who could brighten any room. Taylor shared a deep bond with Alison, confiding in her about dreams and daily life, from school stresses to weekend plans, often laughing over shared memories that Alison recalls with the tender nickname Taylor. She was cautious, always carrying her phone, keys, and shoes, a habit that makes her disappearance at WakeFest deeply suspicious. Taylor’s faith, rooted in her Hendersonville church community, guided her, and she often wore a cross necklace, a symbol of her spirituality. Her loyalty to friends and family, coupled with her playful humor, made her a cherished daughter, sister, and friend, rendering her loss all the more devastating.

The Fateful Weekend: WakeFest, July 24–26, 2015

On July 24, 2015, Taylor joined her friend Hannah Palmer, Hannah’s boyfriend Aaron Lilly, and Aaron’s friend Chris Stout for WakeFest, a three-day wakeboarding festival at Center Hill Lake, near Pates Ford Marina, about two hours from Nashville. Taylor, excited for a weekend of fun, was unaware that Chris was a stranger to her, a detail that troubled Alison, who noted that her sister, whom she calls Taylor, was uncomfortable with unfamiliar company. The group camped on a steep, isolated cliffside site, 90 feet above the lake’s rocky waters, accessible only by boat—a treacherous location with loose gravel and a sharp drop.

On Saturday, July 25, Taylor spent the day wakeboarding and cliff-jumping, activities she loved but which posed risks due to hidden rocks below the cliffs. Witnesses reported she hit her head during a jump, possibly sustaining a minor concussion, though she appeared fine later at a marina bar. Surveillance footage from Floating Mill captured Taylor laughing and socializing until around 2:00 a.m. A video taken during the boat ride back to the campsite showed Taylor’s unease, with her saying, “We’re going into a death trap,” a chilling foreshadowing of the danger that awaited.

Back at the campsite, sleeping arrangements raised red flags. Hannah and Aaron shared a tent, while Taylor was assigned to share a hammock with Chris Stout, a decision Sherry and Alison found out of character for Taylor, who was cautious about strangers. Around 2:00 a.m., the group returned from the bar, marking the last confirmed sighting of Taylor alive. On July 26, Hannah, Aaron, and Chris claimed Taylor was gone when they woke. Her shoes, phone, and keys—items she always kept close—remained at the campsite, yet the trio did not report her missing, instead continuing to enjoy WakeFest. Hannah’s Instagram post about their “great weekend” struck Sherry as callous and suspicious given Taylor’s absence.

At 10:00 a.m., two fishermen found Taylor’s body floating face-down in a cove 300 feet from the campsite, a distance inexplicable given the lake’s weak currents. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, led by Detective Sergeant Patrick Ray, hastily ruled her death an accident, citing blunt force trauma and possible drowning, with intoxication as a factor (her blood alcohol level was 0.173). However, the medical examiner’s report revealed injuries inconsistent with a fall: bruising on her thighs, back, and neck; a compressed neck; hemorrhages in her throat muscles; and a possible bite mark on her breast, later disputed as a fall-related injury. Critically, no water was found in her lungs, strongly suggesting she was dead before entering the lake, pointing to murder rather than drowning.

A Deeply Flawed Investigation and Evidence of Foul Play

I firmly believe Lauren “Taylor” Agee was murdered, and the investigation into her death was profoundly flawed, marked by oversights, missed opportunities, and a rush to close the case as an accident. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office failed to secure the campsite properly, neglected to interview key witnesses promptly, and dismissed compelling evidence suggesting foul play. Sherry hired private investigator Sheila Wysocki in February 2016, whose rigorous investigation, detailed on her website https://www.sheilawysocki.com/ and Without Warning podcast https://www.withoutwarningpodcast.com/, exposed critical issues that reinforce my conviction of murder:

Inconsistent Statements: Hannah, Aaron, and Chris provided conflicting accounts. Hannah claimed Taylor was fine after cliff-jumping, while others suggested a concussion. Their failure to report Taylor missing and their nonchalant behavior—continuing WakeFest and posting on social media—suggest a cover-up. Hannah’s Instagram post and lack of urgency contrasted sharply with Taylor’s cautious habits, as Alison, who calls her Taylor, emphasized.

Undisclosed Fifth Camper: Wysocki uncovered evidence of a fifth person, Brix Gambrell, at the campsite, not reported to police, indicating deliberate omission. Witnesses confirmed this individual’s presence, yet their identity remains uninvestigated, a glaring investigative failure.

Physical Evidence: Taylor’s injuries—neck compression, throat hemorrhages, and extensive bruising—point to strangulation or assault, not a fall. The hammock, sagging low to the ground, showed no signs of a struggle or drag marks, contradicting the 90-foot fall theory. Her body’s face-down position in shallow water, with no water in her lungs, confirms she was likely murdered before being placed in the lake, a conclusion I strongly support.

Social Media Harassment: Cruel comments about Taylor were traced to an IP address on the same Florida street as Hannah and Aaron’s residence, suggesting intimidation or a cover-up. Hannah’s social media posts, including those mocking Taylor’s family, further implicate her involvement.

Additional Leads: Cassie, Aaron’s ex-girlfriend, reported his history of physical abuse, showing police photos of bruises and bite marks resembling those on Taylor’s body. Jade, a friend texting Taylor that night, said Taylor expressed discomfort and wanted to leave WakeFest but couldn’t due to the late hour and remote location. These leads were inadequately pursued by authorities, undermining justice for Taylor.

Sherry filed a $10 million wrongful death lawsuit in December 2016 against Hannah, Aaron, and Chris, aiming to compel answers. All three invoked their Fifth Amendment rights, refusing to answer even basic questions like, “Did you harm Lauren?” The lawsuit was dismissed in 2018 for insufficient evidence but reinstated by an appeals court in 2019, though no trial has occurred. A Change.org petition to reopen the case has garnered over 65,000 signatures, reflecting widespread belief, shared by this author, that Taylor was murdered and the investigation botched. Despite compelling leads, including Cassie’s allegations and the fifth camper’s existence, no criminal charges have been filed, and the case remains officially closed as an accident, a conclusion I reject given the overwhelming evidence of foul play.

The Agee Family’s Heartache and Advocacy

The murder of Lauren “Taylor” Agee has left an indelible scar on her family. Sherry Smith has become a fierce advocate, stating in a 2024 Outlier Podcast interview, “I’m all she had, and she would expect nothing less from me”. Her grief is intensified by the lack of cooperation from Taylor’s friends and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office’s inadequate investigation, which I believe failed to pursue justice for a clear homicide. Sherry’s determination led her to Washington, D.C., alongside other victims’ families, to advocate for improved investigative protocols, as reported by Fox 17 Nashville.

Alison Bivens, Taylor’s sister, has been a vocal force, sharing memories and updates on her blog, Justice for Lauren Agee https://akbivens.wordpress.com/, and TikTok @alisonbivens1, https://www.tiktok.com/@alisonbivens1. In her posts, Alison refers to her sister as Taylor, writing, “Taylor didn’t go unnoticed. Something happened up there,” echoing my conviction that she was murdered. Her TikTok videos, with thousands of views, highlight Taylor’s vibrant life and call for justice, urging followers to share tips. The family has faced online harassment, with Alison noting cruel comments traced to Hannah and Aaron’s street, yet their resolve remains unshaken.

Michael Smith supports Sherry and Alison, attending vigils and court hearings. The family organizes annual vigils in Hendersonville, where supporters wear “Justice for Lauren” shirts, keeping Taylor’s memory alive. Sherry’s collaboration with Sheila Wysocki, have brought national attention to the case, has amplified their efforts. Their advocacy reflects Taylor’s passion for justice, ensuring her story resonates with a wider audience seeking truth in a case I believe points unequivocally to murder.

Alison recently started an Etsy shop where she shares products based on Taylor’s tattoo. She had the word “Breathe” tattooed on her forearm. Alison describes the meaning of this in the following way:

“‘Breathe’ was her reminder to stop and breathe before you act, before you're impulsive, etc. The arrow means even when you're being pulled back in life, all the pressure, when you let go you will launch yourself forward.”

You can find these touching and incredible items at https://katkreativestudio.etsy.com

To hear Alison discuss the tattoo and her Esty shop, please visit https://www.tiktok.com/@ali_kat518/video/7487269668869246250?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7487395777737295406

How to Honor Taylor

Lauren “Taylor” Agee’s legacy as a compassionate, vibrant young woman endures through her family’s advocacy and community support. To honor her memory and support the fight for justice in her murder:

1. Listen to Lauren’s story, covered on Dark Dialogue. It can be listed to everyplace you get podcasts, or on the player below.
2. Watch and Listen to Her Story:
   • Explore Taylor’s case through People Magazine Presents: Crimes of the 2010s (Season 1, Episode 2, “Tennessee Stalker”), aired August 20, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. EST on Investigation Discovery, available on Max or Hulu.
   • Watch True Life Crime (Season 2, Episode 2, 2021) on MTV, streamable on Paramount+ or Amazon Prime Video.
   • Listen to the Dark Dialogue podcast for a compassionate exploration of Taylor’s murder and the flawed investigation, available anywhere you listen to podcasts, alongside other podcasts such as:
     • Without Warning by Sheila Wysocki
     • The Outlier Podcast
     • Crime Junkie

3. Visit Alison’s Blog and TikTok: Read personal insights and case updates at Breathe https://akbivens.wordpress.com/, where Alison shares Taylor’s story and calls for justice. Follow Alison on TikTok, @alisonbivens1, https://www.tiktok.com/@alisonbivens1 for heartfelt videos advocating for Taylor and raising awareness.
4. Visit Alison Esty store at https://katkreativestudio.etsy.com
5. Raise Awareness: Share Taylor’s story on social media with hashtags like #JusticeForLaurenAgee or sign the Change.org petition to reopen her case https://www.change.org/p/lauren-agee-s-wrongful-death.
6. Contact the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office at (615) 597-4935 with any tips.
7. Support Advocacy Efforts: Contribute to organizations like the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children or Tennessee-based victim support groups to honor Taylor’s passion for helping others.
8. Honor Her Spirit: Reflect Taylor’s love for sports and dance by supporting local youth programs or donating to criminal justice scholarships in her memory.
9. Stay Informed: Follow updates on true crime on this website. We will post updates as they become available.
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Taylor’s Enduring Legacy

Lauren “Taylor” Agee was a radiant soul whose dreams of advocating for victims were tragically stolen by what I believe was a brutal murder, compounded by a deeply flawed investigation. Her case, explored in Dark Dialogue, Without Warning, and True Life Crime, remains a haunting Tennessee true crime story, marked by investigative failures and compelling evidence of foul play. The Agee family’s resilience—through Sherry’s unwavering advocacy, Alison’s poignant blog and TikTok presence calling her Taylor, and Sheila Wysocki’s investigative expertise—keeps Taylor’s memory alive. As they unravel the truths behind her murder, may their efforts bring justice, and may Taylor’s legacy of compassion and vibrancy inspire others to demand answers in the face of tragedy.