Taylor Rawlins' best friend speaks out after fatal stabbing

MOBILE, Alabama (WALA) – The night of August 22nd is more than just a date. It is a day that time will stand still for the family and friends of Taylor Rawlins.

Tonight, Jennifer Heathcoe, Rawlins' girlfriend, is behind bars in Mobile Metro Jail. She is accused of stabbing Rawlins during an argument.

At just 33 years old, Rawlins was father to an 11-year-old son and an 8-year-old daughter, a brother and a close friend of Jeff Alison. So close that he was best man at his wedding.

“I actually knew him long before I met my wife,” Alison said. “I mean, we went to the club, we went fishing, we went four-by-four, we hunted, we did everything. I mean, we did a lot.”

Alison said Rawlins never met a stranger and quickly gave the impression of being a kind-hearted person.

FOX10 News has learned that Heathcoe has been charged with domestic violence against Rawlins in the past.

Daphne police said Heathcoe was arrested in December on a charge of domestic violence/harassment that occurred while the two were at a bar.

As Heathcoe awaits her next court hearing on Wednesday, Alison said he hopes justice is done, but more importantly, he never wants to forget his best friend's life.

“He was a great man, a great husband, a great father,” Alison said. “One of the best people I've ever met in my life. We've lost one of the good ones.”

Family and friends are invited to Rawlins' viewing on August 31 from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Radney Funeral Homes, 3155 Dauphin Street.

The memorial service will take place on September 1st at 11am.

You can donate to the family's GoFundMe campaign.

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