NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — One of the suspects charged in connection to the death of a 22-year-old Murfreesboro woman has pleaded guilty to several charges just a week before a jury trial was set to begin.
Taiyana Tipton reportedly appeared in a Wilson County courtroom Tuesday for a readiness hearing. Instead, officials said Tipton decided to plead guilty to all charges related to Fuller’s death.
“This morning’s plea was not something that had been communicated to us whatsoever,” said District Attorney Jason Lawson. “We were prepared to go to trail next week and achieve this same result at the hands of a jury.”
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Tipton is one of three suspects charged in connection to Fuller’s death after her body was found in a wooded area in Wilson County. Fuller was reported missing by family members on July 29, 2022, and worked an event at Geodis Park in Nashville the next day. She was last seen at the nightclub Island Vibes on Antioch Pike on July 30, 2022.
In August 2022, Fuller’s body was found behind a property under development off Trammel Lane. The Medical Examiner later confirmed Fuller died from gunshot wounds.
The Wilson County Sheriff’s Office reported 21-year-old Taiyana Tipton, 20-year-old Ty’Shawne Bowles, and 20-year-old La’Myra Pipkins were taken into custody related to Fuller’s death. Tipton and her brother, Bowles, were charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, and abuse of a corpse. Pipkins, an associate of Tipton and Bowles, was charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping. All three were held without bond.
According to the district attorney, a judge immediately sentenced Tipton to a life sentence on Tuesday for the crime of first-degree premeditated murder, and another life sentence for felony first-degree murder. Since the two life sentences were for the same victim, officials said the sentences will merge into a single life sentence.
Facts of the case, which was outlined by Assistant District Attorney Tammy Meade, now reveal Tipton had a disagreement with Fuller on the night before the murder. The next day Tipton reportedly contacted her brother, who then invited Fuller to a party. Officials said further investigation indicated Fuller went to the party, where a fight occurred between her and Tipton.
After the fight, Tipton reportedly put Fuller in the trunk of her car and drove to Wilson County. While there, investigators said she shot the 22-year-old seven times. Fuller’s body was found days later.
“Today was about getting justice for Mya,” Lawson said. “In my law enforcement career, this investigation ranks among the best I have ever seen. I cannot say enough about the work of the Wilson County Sheriff’s Department, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the Metro-Davidson County Police Department.”
The remaining codefendants are still expected to go to trial. Officials said the next hearing for them will be held May 6.
