SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. — The Harpers Ferry woman who has been charged with killing her husband and then setting her home on fire where her husband’s and daughter’s bodies were located has waived her preliminary hearing.
Nicole Ellen Taylor, 55, appeared in orange jail clothing in front of Jefferson County Magistrate Lisa Fraley Tuesday afternoon.
Taylor is charged with first-degree murder, arson and the use of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Taylor is accused of killing her husband, Robert Taylor, 56, before setting their house on fire on Blackberry Lane in Harpers Ferry on Sept. 30, 2025. Taylor’s bedridden daughter, Cynthia Taylor, 21, was also found dead in the burned out home.
Nicole Taylor, who suffered serious burn injuries in the fire, was arrested last week.
Investigators said Robert Taylor was shot five times and was dead prior to the blaze. Nicole Taylor is not facing charges in the death of Cynthia Taylor, who also is believed to have died before the fire.
According to a criminal complaint, evidence shows gasoline was used to spread the fire throughout the house. A witness who was in the house before the fire told troopers they observed Robert Taylor’s bleeding body covered with a blanket and that Nicole Taylor had directed the witness to remove personal property, identification, jewelry and her pet fish from the home before the fire.
Jefferson County Prosecutor Adam Ward said Taylor’s waiving her right to a preliminary hearing means that the case heads next to a grand jury.
The next session for the Jefferson County grand jury is scheduled to meet in January.
Taylor remains in the Eastern Regional Jail without bail.