AURORA, CO – An Arapahoe County man faces murder and domestic violence charges after authorities say he shot his wife in their Aurora home, waited hours before calling 911, and initially claimed the shooting was accidental.
David O’Grady, 37, was booked into jail following the death of his wife, Taylor Dawn Last, whose body was discovered at the couple’s Shawnee Way residence early on September 7. Investigators allege O’Grady shot Last, 29, in the chest with a firearm and then delayed seeking emergency assistance, contrary to what he first told authorities.
Law enforcement officers arrived at the Shawnee Way home around 7:45 a.m. after O’Grady finally dialed 911. On the call, he reported that he had accidentally discharged his weapon while clearing it, hitting his wife. He initially maintained that he spent about an hour performing CPR before contacting help.
Court documents reveal, however, that O’Grady later told sheriff’s deputies his wife had already been dead for hours when emergency personnel arrived, raising questions about his account of the events. According to the affidavit, deputies entered the residence to find Last lying on her back, her left arm across her chest. Officials noted the body was cold and stiff, consistent with having been deceased for an extended period.
The couple’s two young daughters, ages 6 and 4, as well as O’Grady’s mother, were in the home at the time of the shooting. The children, who slept in a room opposite their parents’ bedroom, described to investigators hearing heated arguing and a loud bang that startled them awake, court documents state.
Further statements in the affidavit allege O’Grady admitted he and Last were arguing about a party before the incident occurred. O’Grady reportedly acknowledged firing a round into their bed, knowing the gun was loaded. As Last entered the room, he allegedly pointed the weapon in her direction and pulled the trigger, striking her in the chest.
After the shooting, O’Grady’s daughters told authorities they heard the commotion and later saw their mother collapse onto the bed with her hands raised. The children also claimed to have noticed broken colorful objects scattered on the floor shortly after the incident, but investigators reported none of those items were present by the time they arrived.
Family members have organized fundraising efforts to support the couple’s daughters, describing Last as a devoted mother. The children are now left without both parents, as their father remains incarcerated and their mother is deceased.
O’Grady faces charges of first-degree murder and domestic violence and remains in custody as the investigation continues. Arapahoe County officials are piecing together the timeline and events leading up to the shooting as they prepare the case for prosecution.
The tragedy has left the family and local community reeling, with authorities emphasizing the importance of resources for victims of domestic violence. The children are currently in the care of relatives as the investigation proceeds.