Broken heart, busted wallet: Slain football player's mom faces bankruptcy
While the economic downturn has offered plenty of sad stories, Donna Junor's tale is particularly painful. It begins with the death of her son, Sean Taylor.In 2007, Taylor was still in the early stages of what promised to be a long and glorious football career. A first-round pick in the 2004 draft, he signed a seven-year $18 million contract with the Washington Redskins, and became the team's starting free safety after the third game of the season. He quickly gained a reputation as an outstanding athlete, and in 2006 was named to the 2007 Pro Bowl. For Donna Junor, these were good times, as her son was quick to share his good fortune, giving large checks and bags of money to family members.
Everything changed on November 26, 2007. At 1:45 AM, an armed intruder broke into Taylor's Florida home and shot the football player in his leg. The bullet struck his femoral artery and, despite several hours of surgery, Taylor died at the hospital on November 27. He never regained consciousness.
Taylor died without a will, and most of his estate went to his daughter. His father took possession of the contents of a $328,000 joint account that he shared with the football player, and Taylor's sister received the proceeds of a $650,000 life insurance policy. His mother, however, received nothing. In a preview of the tragedies that would later strike millions of beleaguered homeowners, Donna Junor found herself unable to afford the trappings of luxury that she had purchased in better times. Her $220,000 townhouse, which she bought in 2005 with money that Taylor gave her, requires her to pay dues to a homeowners' association. Since his death, she has struggled to make the payments; Junor currently owes them more than $1,400, and they have threatened to take her to court.
All of this points to a painful conclusion: like many victims of the recession, Junor is going to have to change her lifestyle to make ends meet. What makes her pain different, however, is that Junor's reduced options will carry the memory of a son who loved her well, but was cut down too soon.



























Reader Comments (Page 1 of 33)
9-30-2009 @ 4:52PM
Laura said...
what is wrong with Sean Taylors sister and father ?
No matter what they should help Seans mother out of her present negative situation--how uncaring and selfish can they be ?
She deserves better !
Laura
Reply
9-30-2009 @ 8:10PM
Eric said...
Laura,
I agree without hesitation. It shows the selfishness that's inherent in greedj$600K and $400K .. and they can't help the mother of the income producer? The family members are nothing but worms...
Eric
9-30-2009 @ 8:47PM
Observer said...
No one deserves anything in this case. It sounds like someone was trying to protect funds but did not expect to die. Sorry, that's the way it works.
I just wonder if this was another kids raising kids situation where no one learned values...
9-30-2009 @ 8:53PM
Curtis said...
I agreed the father and daughter should help the mother it is only a little bit of money 4,400 dollars and they have enough to help her. They will reap what they sowed. It was the daughter's friends who tried to rob him, the party was for her.
9-30-2009 @ 8:55PM
paul ware said...
i agree with you
9-30-2009 @ 10:51PM
sbrightat@aol.com said...
I agree. There has to be something missing from this story...because regardless of who actually ended up with the money...why wouldn't someone who got the money actually step in and take care of her/this?
9-30-2009 @ 9:14PM
vos said...
Absolutely -- so much wrong in this scenario -- #1 dying without a thought out will --
Mama needs to downsize and take care of herself -- sub pay can cover modest housing -- but please Mr Karma please look up Sean's daddy and sister and give them all that they deserve
9-30-2009 @ 10:09PM
Opsman000 said...
Laura said...
what is wrong with Sean Taylors sister and father ?
No matter what they should help Seans mother out of her present negative situation--how uncaring and selfish can they be ?
She deserves better !
Laura
Maybe she doesn't. Just a thought. At any rate she is going to have to live with reality--she expects someone to bail her out to continue the high lifestyle?
10-01-2009 @ 12:48AM
sieben13 said...
What is the ROOT of ALL EVIL???????????????? MONEY, separates the Good from the GREEDY
9-30-2009 @ 10:55PM
ADMR said...
No ONE Owes Anybody Anything.
9-30-2009 @ 11:18PM
kiajahne said...
All i am going to say about this situation is this. Everyone has something to say about the family members that recieved the money but you do not know the whole story. I personally know these people and the media is not telling the whole story.
9-30-2009 @ 11:44PM
JJ said...
PLEASE! He died intestate. That means Mom is a beneficiary at law. She'll get some more bucks and just needs to take out a loan on her free and clear house to carry her over. I don't feel sorry for her. Her other family members evidently don't care for her. Why should we?
JJ
10-01-2009 @ 3:07AM
Dawn said...
obviously theres some bad blood goin on we dont kno about..if the father and sister were takin care of in that way why didnt he have something set for his mom? and why woldnt the dad n sis help her..deep seeded reasons there..dont judge them they kno the real reasons sean didnt name her on his policy or bank accounts
10-01-2009 @ 3:52PM
CD said...
I'm all for helping family members out, but this woman needs to get a real job and take care of her own business. Relying on money from her dead son shows she has no respect for herself. He was the pro football player, no her.
10-01-2009 @ 4:20PM
Ricardo said...
She should get a job and pay the small cost instead of crying about someone helping her. That is what got her in trouble in the first place.
10-01-2009 @ 4:30PM
jdcx3 said...
maybe she is getting back what she gave
10-01-2009 @ 5:31PM
Chatterbug said...
Look, her bills are $250 per month for taxes. How can you not come up w/ $250. Many more people are struggling much more than that. They would be happy to only owe $250/mo in taxes. Obviously there is a problem w/ the mom and Daughters relationship. The husband is more than likely an ex is is doing what ex's do.
Just because your Son or Daughter becomes a start doesn't mean they owe you anything. To say she is left in the cold is a selfish comment. Many people in this country don't have a son that played professional sports or a daughter to help them in a time of need. This woman is struggling w/ "I use to have". Sell your townhome, pay your bills and buy somethign for around $150k.
Bottom line, she is far better off than the story sounds. No pity party granted via me.
10-01-2009 @ 5:50PM
Josh said...
Wrong, sieben13. It's the love of money which the Bible calls evil, not money itself.
10-01-2009 @ 6:02PM
sh0tta said...
R.I.P Sean Taylor.
10-01-2009 @ 6:05PM
Chuck said...
Her Son left her what he thought she deserved.
Why do you think Sean had his finances with his Father and his insurance benafactor as his Sister....ummmmmm
maybe Mómmy couldn't be trusted!!!.