After working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic in Oregon and California, traveling respiratory therapist Kara Taylor hit a rough patch in her own life — and sought safe harbor in a colleague’s home.
Instead, Jamon Fristch strangled the 49-year-old to death and then hacked her body into pieces on July 25, 2023, as Taylor’s daughter was elsewhere in the Jefferson Street house in Oregon City.
Taylor’s family gathered Wednesday as Fritsch was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 25 years.
The 48-year-old claimed Taylor had run off unexpectedly and reported her missing that July 27, but then spent the next two days gathering tarps, trash bags, plastic totes and cleaning supplies before dumping her body in Coffin Butte Landfill in Corvallis.
Her body was found only after a lengthy search of the property.
“This is what’s left of her,” said Taylor’s brother, Marcus Sanders, holding aloft a black velvet bag as he addressed Clackamas County Circuit Judge Michael Wetzel.
Oregon City police arrested Fritsch in early August once he confessed to a detective in an email, indicating that the killing was a twisted attempt to prevent Taylor from reporting him for domestic violence.
In court, Sanders estimated what had been stolen from his sister: “Three hundred and thirty one million breaths,” he calculated.
The youngest of three siblings, Taylor and her brothers grew up in the Bellingham, Washington area, but moved frequently as their divorced parents battled over custody issues, with Taylor finishing school in Dallas, Oregon.
She studied at the Pima Medical Institute, graduating with honors in 2013 with a degree in respiratory therapy.
“Kara absolutely loved helping her patients breathe better and took it personally whenever she lost one,” Sanders said. “I was proud of my sister.”
When not working, Taylor also was a dedicated caregiver to her daughter, Nicole, who has autism and requires support.
The traveling therapist met her husband, Dennis Taylor, while working at a Hermiston hospital. The two moved to Pasco, Washington, in 2022, but marital difficulties prompted Taylor to move out soon into the marriage.
Dennis Taylor said his wife was a registered organ donor and wanted to give back after she was gone. It was just one more thing Fritsch stole from her.
“Jamon Fritsch, you took away Kara’s body, but you never took away her soul,” he said. “You are the epitome of evil.”
The killer spent most of the hearing looking straight ahead as the family members stood behind him and testified from the gallery. Finally, he rose to speak.
“I promise to take every antipsychotic medication that the prison will give me while I wait to die in solitary,” he said.
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