Body found in the Ouachita River identified as 19-year-old Iberia Parish woman
UPDATE (02/26/2024): On February 26, 2024, reports confirmed that the body that was discovered in the Ouachita River was identified as 19-year-old Sheryl Turner of Iberia Parish. Turner was reported missing in early January 2024.
The case is still under investigation and no suspects have been identified. Turner's family has created a GoFundMe account for her funeral expenses.
CATAHOULA PARISH (KTVE/KARD) -- On February 15, 2024, reports confirmed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is now assisting authorities with a homicide investigation after a body was found in the Ouachita River.
On Wednesday, January 24, 2024, authorities received a 911 call at approximately 2 PM that directed them to a location on the Ouachita River, approximately three miles north of Jonesville, La., where a fisherman spotted what appeared to be a body, floating in the river. According to deputies deputies recovered a body and the remains were taken to Parish Forensics in Broussard, La. for autopsy.
The autopsy results indicated that the remains found were a human torso with the extremities and head removed in a deliberate and very precise manner. The remains are that of a light-skinned African-American female with an estimated body weight of 220-250 lbs.
The Medical Examiner concluded that the time of death was approximately 1-5 days before January 24, 2024. CPSO Officials say that the case is being treated as an active homicide investigation and that all available resources will be utilized to identify the victim and to locate the suspect or suspects involved in this egregious crime.
On January 26, 2024, the Catahoula Parish Sheriff’s Department confirmed that the case turned into a homicide investigation.