Colorado True Crime: Loveland's 'Bowling Alley Murder' in 1994

2024 marked the 30th anniversary of a murder in Loveland, Colorado, involving three people. Three people in a sex triangle that ended up going terribly wrong.

Add in, the fact that it revolves around a bowling alley, where thousands and thousands of people have fun every year. How many of the people that bowl there know of, or remember, Loveland's "Bowling Alley Murder?"

It's definitely feels like one of those "I can't believe this happened in our town," stories.

Loveland, Colorado's 'Bowling Alley Murder' of 1994

Even today, the thought of something like this happening in Loveland, sounds crazy. Yet, it did happen in the summer of 1994, shocking many of the residents of the somewhat small Colorado town.

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The bowling alley at the heart of the case is now known as Sweetheart 10 Pin Bowling, but back then it was just known as Sweetheart Lanes. Having grown up in Loveland, I had spent hundreds of hours in that bowling alley as a kid in bantam leagues, well into my adult years.

Love Triangle in Loveland Leads to Death of One of the Three

The story has it that the three, husband and wife James D. and Bonnie L. Taylor, and George Legaza III met in Delaware while they all worked at a bowling alley. The three began a "threesome" relationship before moving to Loveland in 1987, where all three worked at Sweetheart Lanes.

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They all shared a house owned by Legaza. The Taylors wanted to be co-owners but didn't have substantial credit to do so. In September of 1994, George went missing and the Taylors said he'd just left on his own.

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George's body was found in a shallow grave in a field behind Sweetheart Lanes in 1996. I remember that part, distinctly: "Behind the bowling alley?"

'Too Big of a Secret to Keep'

According to (the then) Aspen Daily News, Loveland Police gathered informants, and finally got a taped conversation of Bonnie confessing that she'd stabbed Legaza. The Taylors were arrested for first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.

There isn't much information other than that, search as I may.

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Filed Under: Loveland Colorado