The Disappearance and Murder of Sarah Goode: Four Men, a Bloody Handprint, and a Search for Justice

The tragic case of Sarah Goode, a 21-year-old mother from Long Island, continues to stand as one of the most haunting criminal investigations in recent memory. What began as a missing person’s report quickly escalated into a homicide case, drawing the attention of investigators, media, and a shaken community.

A Young Mother Disappears

On the evening of June 6, 2014, Sarah Goode vanished without a trace. Described by friends and family as a kind-hearted young woman devoted to her daughter, her sudden disappearance raised immediate concern. Sarah was last seen leaving a friend’s gathering in Medford, New York, driving her gray BMW sedan.

When she failed to return home or respond to messages, her family reported her missing. The tight-knit community quickly mobilized, with neighbors and volunteers joining law enforcement in a search effort that stretched across Suffolk County.

A Chilling Discovery: The Bloody Handprint

Days into the search, investigators located Sarah’s car parked on a secluded street not far from her home. On closer examination, detectives noticed something deeply unsettling: a bloody handprint smeared across the exterior of the vehicle.

The discovery shifted the investigation from a missing person’s case to a suspected foul play scenario. Crime scene investigators processed the car meticulously, searching for DNA, fingerprints, and any sign of what might have happened inside the vehicle.

Four Men Under Scrutiny

Early in the investigation, detectives focused their attention on four men in Sarah’s life. These individuals were considered “persons of interest” either because of past relationships, recent interactions, or suspicious behavior in the days surrounding her disappearance.

• An ex-boyfriend who had a complicated history with Sarah.

• A casual acquaintance she had recently been in contact with.

• A friend of a family member who had reportedly expressed interest in her.

• A local man spotted in the general area where her car was discovered.

Each of the four men was interviewed extensively. Investigators examined phone records, text messages, and social media accounts to piece together timelines. Some men were quickly cleared of involvement, while suspicion lingered heavily on others.

The Break in the Case

After several days of searching, the community’s worst fears were realized. On June 12, 2014, Sarah Goode’s body was discovered in a wooded area near Medford. The autopsy revealed she had been brutally murdered, suffering multiple stab wounds.

Attention soon zeroed in on Dante Taylor, a 19-year-old Marine from Mastic, who had been seen with Sarah before her disappearance. Forensic evidence—including DNA recovered from Sarah’s body and vehicle—ultimately linked him to the crime.

The Role of the Bloody Handprint

The bloody handprint on Sarah’s car became a central piece of the investigation. It not only signaled foul play but also pointed to a violent struggle. Though it did not belong to Taylor, the discovery galvanized the search efforts and provided crucial context for investigators piecing together the timeline of Sarah’s final hours.

Justice and Legacy

In 2016, Dante Taylor was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. The conviction brought some measure of closure to Sarah’s family, though the pain of her loss endures.

The case of Sarah Goode underscores the fragility of life and the devastating ripple effects of violence. Her family and friends remember her not as a victim but as a loving mother, sister, and daughter whose life was taken too soon.

Community advocates have since used Sarah’s story as a call for heightened awareness of violence against women and the importance of swift investigative action when someone goes missing under suspicious circumstances.