Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 11 hours ago
topherBehal #TaylorEscontrias #visionsofviolencetrial
Iowa man Christopher Behal is accused of murdering his girlfriend, 31-year-old Taylor Escontrias, in March 2024. Behal and Escontrias were in a relationship and lived together at the time of the shocking murder. Her body was discovered after Behal was involved in a car crash. Investigators believe multiple weapons were used in Escontrias’ murder. Behal now faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder and domestic abuse assault with intent to inflict serious injury.
Case History (Courtesy of The Docket):
Christopher Behal, the Park View man accused of killing 31-year-old Taylor Escontrias a year ago in March 2024.
Behal faces charges of first-degree murder and domestic abuse assault with intent to inflict serious injury. He also faces felony charges of assault while participating in a felony – serious injury and going armed with intent; along with aggravated misdemeanor charges of domestic abuse assault with intent to inflict serious injury – first offense, domestic abuse assault display or use of a weapon – first offense, and operating while under the influence, second offense.
Behal and Escontrias were in a relationship and lived together at the time of her death. Her death was discovered after Behal was involved in a car crash near 90th Street and Harrison Street in Mt. Joy on March 14, 2024.
During the crash investigation, police received information that led them to discover Escontria's dead body in Park View.
According to a criminal complaint, Behal "used multiple deadly weapons" to kill Escontrias.
The Scott County Sheriff’s Office responded on March 14, 2024, to a crash with injury near 90th Street (210th Street) and Harrison Street in Mt. Joy near the entrance to the Mt. Joy Airport. Behal was identified as the driver of the 2013 silver Chevrolet Impala that struck a light pole.
Behal was unconscious behind the wheel of a 2013 Chevrolet Impala, and they say he smelled of alcohol. They also found a bloody knife, a bloody cell phone, and blood all over the interior of the car.
During the investigation of the crash, information led deputies to the body of 31-year-old Taylor Escontrias (McKee).
Behal admitted he had consumed alcoholic beverages earlier that evening. Behal admitted he drank too much alcohol.
After Behal consented to Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, a deputy says in affidavits that the deputy “observed 6 of 6 clues indicating impairment. Behal could not complete the Walk and Turn Test and the One Leg Stand Test.” Behal refused other alcohol tests.
Behal was sent to the hospital. The detective said that while Behal was at the hospital, he requested a welfare check of his girlfriend, saying he had “visions of violence.”
At a residence, deputies found a body, a bloody bat and screwdriver, and an empty vodka bottle.
Behal initially claimed the victim came at him with a knife, and he used the bat for self-defense. But Behal later admitted to hitting her with the bat– then stabbing her in the neck to “put her out of her misery.” Behal stabbed her 31 times.
Scott County prosecutors filed a motion to proceed with only two charges: first-degree murder and domestic abuse assault with intent to inflict serious injury.
If convicted of first-degree murder, Behal faces a mandatory life sentence.
Behal plans to use intoxication as his defense during the trial.
Behal pleaded not guilty to the charges in April. The trial is expected to last about ten days.
He has suffered from Mental Health issues in the past.
Court records show the case involves 228 proposed exhibits.
topherBehal #TaylorEscontrias #visionsofviolencetrial
Iowa man Christopher Behal is accused of murdering his girlfriend, 31-year-old Taylor Escontrias, in March 2024. Behal and Escontrias were in a relationship and lived together at the time of the shocking murder. Her body was discovered after Behal was involved in a car crash. Investigators believe multiple weapons were used in Escontrias’ murder. Behal now faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder and domestic abuse assault with intent to inflict serious injury.
Case History (Courtesy of The Docket):
Christopher Behal, the Park View man accused of killing 31-year-old Taylor Escontrias a year ago in March 2024.
Behal faces charges of first-degree murder and domestic abuse assault with intent to inflict serious injury. He also faces felony charges of assault while participating in a felony – serious injury and going armed with intent; along with aggravated misdemeanor charges of domestic abuse assault with intent to inflict serious injury – first offense, domestic abuse assault display or use of a weapon – first offense, and operating while under the influence, second offense.
Behal and Escontrias were in a relationship and lived together at the time of her death. Her death was discovered after Behal was involved in a car crash near 90th Street and Harrison Street in Mt. Joy on March 14, 2024.
During the crash investigation, police received information that led them to discover Escontria's dead body in Park View.
According to a criminal complaint, Behal "used multiple deadly weapons" to kill Escontrias.
The Scott County Sheriff’s Office responded on March 14, 2024, to a crash with injury near 90th Street (210th Street) and Harrison Street in Mt. Joy near the entrance to the Mt. Joy Airport. Behal was identified as the driver of the 2013 silver Chevrolet Impala that struck a light pole.
Behal was unconscious behind the wheel of a 2013 Chevrolet Impala, and they say he smelled of alcohol. They also found a bloody knife, a bloody cell phone, and blood all over the interior of the car.
During the investigation of the crash, information led deputies to the body of 31-year-old Taylor Escontrias (McKee).
Behal admitted he had consumed alcoholic beverages earlier that evening. Behal admitted he drank too much alcohol.
After Behal consented to Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, a deputy says in affidavits that the deputy “observed 6 of 6 clues indicating impairment. Behal could not complete the Walk and Turn Test and the One Leg Stand Test.” Behal refused other alcohol tests.
Behal was sent to the hospital. The detective said that while Behal was at the hospital, he requested a welfare check of his girlfriend, saying he had “visions of violence.”
At a residence, deputies found a body, a bloody bat and screwdriver, and an empty vodka bottle.
Behal initially claimed the victim came at him with a knife, and he used the bat for self-defense. But Behal later admitted to hitting her with the bat– then stabbing her in the neck to “put her out of her misery.” Behal stabbed her 31 times.
Scott County prosecutors filed a motion to proceed with only two charges: first-degree murder and domestic abuse assault with intent to inflict serious injury.
If convicted of first-degree murder, Behal faces a mandatory life sentence.
Behal plans to use intoxication as his defense during the trial.
Behal pleaded not guilty to the charges in April. The trial is expected to last about ten days.
He has suffered from Mental Health issues in the past.
Court records show the case involves 228 proposed exhibits.
