Although he was born in Ohio, he spoke with an affected English accent (screen star Mary Miles Minter referred to him as a cockney).

Some more of Taylor's jewelry was stolen and receipts were found showing Sands had sold the items in northern California.

An eyewitness reported seeing someone leaving Taylor's bungalow around the time he was murdered, but her description does not fully match Sands' appearance.

[3] The police considered Sands a strong suspect, but never issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with the murder.

Subsequent investigations turned up evidence he had likely been arrested previously for petty crimes and had apparently deserted from the United States Coast Guard.