The town of Dickson, Tennessee is draped in purple—the favorite color of a girl whose light was extinguished far too soon. Taylor ShyAnn Ratterree, a vibrant 17-year-old high school senior with a passion for art and crocheting, was allegedly gunned down in cold blood by the boy who claimed to love her. Friends and family are left picking up the pieces after a Tuesday night shift at Kroger turned into a scene of unimaginable horror.
Taylor wasn’t just a statistic; she was the “good kid” who treated every customer with a smile and had a quirky, unforgettable love for pickles. But behind her “beautiful personality” and happy exterior, a dark, “toxic” web was tightening around her. Sources reveal that Taylor had recently escaped a “very controlling” relationship with 18-year-old Hunter Jackson, but the shadow of his obsession followed her to the very end.
On the fateful night, Jackson allegedly picked Taylor up from her workplace. As the car neared a traffic light at Highway 70 and Henslee Drive, Taylor made a desperate, heart-pounding bid for freedom. In a final act of courage, she tried to jump from the moving vehicle to escape her tormentor, but Jackson allegedly ensured she would never walk away, firing the shots that would claim her life.
As the community gathers for vigils, Taylor’s mother, Debbie Benner, is turning her agony into a mission. “No family should ever have to go through this,” she pleaded, urging everyone to look for the warning signs of a predator. Hunter Jackson currently sits behind bars on a massive $3 million bond, facing first-degree murder charges that could lead to the death penalty or life behind bars.
Information not from the sources: As of early 2026, legal proceedings are ongoing, and the community continues to hold “Asher’s Animals” stuffed animal drives in memory of lost loved ones, though Taylor’s specific case remains a rallying cry for domestic violence awareness in Tennessee.
The deadliest time for any victim is the moment they decide to leave—the moment the perpetrator feels their “control” slipping away. Taylor tried to leave. She tried to live. Now, we are left to wonder how many other “good kids” are trapped in the same silent nightmare.
Questions to Ask Ourselves:
- Does my partner or a loved one’s partner insist on knowing their location at all times?
- Have I noticed a friend becoming isolated from their family since starting a new relationship?
- Do I recognize the difference between “protective” behavior and “controlling” behavior?
- Am I afraid of how my partner will react if I say “no” or try to end things?
