Heartbreak and sorrow have swept across Lake Station following the tragic death of 21-year-old Benard Taylor, whose life was cut short in an act of violence early Sunday morning.
According to an official press release from the Lake County Coroner’s Office, authorities were notified at 5:42 a.m. on Sunday, October 19, 2025, of a fatal incident at 2626 Central Avenue, Lake Station, Indiana. The Lake County Coroner and Medicolegal Death Investigation team were immediately dispatched to the scene to conduct an on-site investigation.
The family of the decedent later made a positive identification at the Lake County Coroner’s Office, confirming the victim as Benard Taylor, a 21-year-old resident of Lake Station, Indiana.
Investigation and Findings
The preliminary findings from the coroner’s report indicate that Benard sustained a lacerating wound, consistent with a fatal injury. The manner of death has been classified as a homicide.
Benard was pronounced deceased at 6:21 a.m. by a Lake County Coroner’s Investigator at the scene. A forensic autopsy is scheduled to be performed at the Lake County Forensic Center, located at 2900 W. 93rd Avenue, Crown Point, Indiana, to determine the precise cause and circumstances surrounding his death.
Agencies assisting in the ongoing investigation include the Lake Station Police Department, the Lake Station Fire Department, and Indiana State Police Crime Scene Investigators (CSI).
A Life Remembered
Benard Taylor’s passing has left an irreplaceable void in the hearts of his family, friends, and all who knew him. At just 21 years old, Benard was a young man full of dreams, love, and potential — someone who brought laughter, joy, and kindness into the lives of those around him. His loved ones remember him as a bright light, a loyal friend, and a caring son whose compassion touched everyone he met.
The grief felt by Benard’s family and the Lake Station community is immeasurable. What was once a peaceful Sunday morning has now become a day marked by unimaginable loss and unanswered questions.
As word of his death spread, tributes began pouring in across social media, where friends described him as “a good soul gone too soon,” “the life of every room,” and “someone who didn’t deserve this.”
Community Response and Ongoing Investigation
The community of Lake Station has been shaken by this tragedy, with many residents expressing their sadness and frustration over another young life lost to violence. Local leaders and faith groups have called for unity, urging residents to support Benard’s grieving family and to come forward with any information that may assist in the investigation.
Law enforcement officials continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the homicide. Detectives are working to piece together the events that led up to the incident and are urging anyone with information, video footage, or eyewitness accounts from the area around 2626 Central Avenue in the early morning hours of October 19 to contact the Lake Station Police Department or Crime Stoppers of Northwest Indiana.
Every detail could be crucial in helping bring closure and justice for Benard and his loved ones.
Seeking Justice and Healing
As the investigation continues, Benard’s family is left to mourn the sudden loss of their beloved son and friend. The pain of losing someone so young, so full of promise, is unimaginable. The family asks for privacy and prayers as they navigate this heartbreaking time and prepare for his final farewell.
Friends and community members are expected to come together in the coming days to honor Benard’s life with memorial tributes and candlelight vigils — a testament to how deeply he was loved and how profoundly he will be missed.
A Final Word
The loss of Benard Taylor is not just the loss of one life; it’s a loss felt throughout the entire community. His memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
As Lake Station mourns, there is a renewed call for peace, unity, and accountability — to ensure that no more families endure the pain of losing a loved one to senseless violence.
Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact the Lake Station Police Department or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers.
May Benard Taylor rest in eternal peace, and may his family find strength and comfort in the love and support of their community.
