Woman accused of killing boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend after chaotic love triangle argument

MESA, Ariz. (KPHO/Gray News) - An Arizona woman is facing a murder charge after authorities say she shot and killed her boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend, who was also an ex-roommate.

According to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Taylor Roediger has been charged with second-degree murder following the Monday morning shooting.

Authorities say the ex-roommate showed up at the Mesa-area home drunk and wanting to talk to the boyfriend and get back together with him.

Roediger reportedly saw the woman on her bedroom security monitor and went to the front door to confront her. After an initial fight, Roediger took a walk while the boyfriend talked to his ex-girlfriend, hoping he would tell her to leave, according to court documents.

However, when Roediger returned, she allegedly found the ex-girlfriend naked in the kitchen with her boyfriend, with the woman asking Roediger to join them.

Roediger said no and moved to grab her purse from the living room. Authorities said the woman approached Roediger, made comments about their relationship and tried to hit her.

According to court documents, Roediger left the house, waited until it sounded like the woman and her boyfriend went into the bedroom, and then Roediger came back into the house.

The three argued, and the woman and the boyfriend said they were going to “beat” Roediger, according to court documents.

Roediger grabbed a gun hidden in the headboard of the bed, and then the woman went into the bathroom. Authorities said the woman threatened to shoot herself if the two didn’t leave her alone, and Roediger told the woman to leave the house.

According to court documents, the boyfriend said the woman wasn’t in the bathroom, but she yelled at Roediger, “Just shoot me.” Based on that, Roediger thought the woman was near the washer and dryer, so she shot toward the wall that was shared with the bathroom and bedroom. The woman was hit in the upper body.

Investigators said Roediger told them she intended to fire the gun in hopes it would get them to leave her alone.

The woman ended up collapsing near the front door and later died.

Roediger panicked, buried the gun in a neighbor’s planter box and hid in another neighbor’s RV until officers arrived and found her, authorities said.

Court documents noted that Roediger has a substance use disorder and worsening domestic violence issues. She was booked into jail on a $500,000 cash-only bond.