FRAKES, Ky. — It’s been over one year since 91-year-old William “Bill” Taylor fought for his life and lost the battle. The Frakes community was outraged after discovering that the elderly Frakes man died as a result of the injuries he sustained during a violent home invasion robbery in January 2008.

Although one year has passed, residents maintain their outrage as Taylor’s case remains unsolved, no one has been brought to justice for his death.

Frakes resident Jason Partin said he’d known Taylor all his life. Partin said that even as a boy, he remembers Taylor as an upstanding member of the Frakes community. According to Partin, Taylor always gave to those less fortunate, made donations to anyone who needed it and assisted Henderson Settlement in all their endeavors.

Partin serves as a fireman for the Frakes Volunteer Fire Department and said that upon learning of Taylor’s attack, his first emotion was anger.

“This ordeal really upset me,” remarked Partin. “My thing is that someone in our community was killed and there’s nothing that’s been done about it!”

Partin’s feelings mirror the community’s. There are many questions that remain unanswered pertaining to Taylor’s murder, but the biggest question posed is, “Why hasn’t something been done?”

Kentucky State Police Investigator Mitch Williams began working on the murder case on Jan. 15, 2008. After Taylor passed away at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, seven days later on Jan. 22, Williams had this to say, “This will change from an assault investigation to a murder investigation.” He added, “We will still work the case the same, it doesn’t change how we conduct the investigation, we will still work it hard.”

Williams was recently given the opportunity to comment on the murder investigation. The investigator stated that the case remains open. He also confirmed that no arrests have been made. Williams declined any further comment regarding the pending investigation.

“I think it’s sad. It’s a shame that our law enforcement hasn’t done something,” stated Jimmy Fuson, Chief of the Frakes Volunteer Fire Department and friend of Taylor’s. “And I’m not saying this because it’s Bill, it wouldn’t matter if the victim had been young, old, whatever, justice should have been served by now!”

Todd Fuson — who was Taylor’s friend and next door neighbor — continues to wrestle with Taylor’s murder, as well. Fuson often visited with Taylor and helped him with home maintenance and household chores. Now, looking at Taylor’s house is a sad and dismal reminder of a tragic event. He said Taylor’s family sometimes visit the home, but it remains vacant.

“It’s a shame that the old fellow had to die the way he did,” remarked Fuson. “I feel that our law enforcement and the judicial system has failed us at this point. Somebody should already be in jail for this.”

“Our seniors are very concerned that there have never been any arrests. The community is fearful, especially seniors who live alone, they’re afraid,” commented Frankie Blackburn, Community Outreach Director of Henderson Settlement. “It’s an awful, awful thing that it happened and now whoever did it is still running around.”

Sarah Miracle is a staff writer for the Daily News. She can be contacted via e-mail at smiracle@middlesborodailynews.com.