4 males charged in Roxanne Sharp’s 1982 homicide after podcast breaks case

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4 males in Louisiana have been charged with rape and homicide 4 many years after 16-year-old Roxanne Sharp was discovered lifeless, because of a podcast and new DNA know-how.

Sharp was discovered lifeless in a wooded space in Covington, Louisiana on Feb. 12, 1982. The Covington Police Division decided that Sharp was raped and murdered, however officers have been unable to make arrests resulting from a scarcity of public cooperation and restricted bodily proof, making the case go chilly for many years till now.

4 Covington males face costs of aggravated rape and second-degree homicide in reference to the 1982 killing of Sharp: Perry Wayne Taylor, 64, Darrell Dean Spell, 64, Carlos Cooper, 64, and Billy Williams Jr., 62. The boys have been arrested on April 21 and 22.

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This photograph supplied by Michele Lappin exhibits Roxanne Sharp in Covington, La., in 1980. (Michele Lappin through AP)

The Louisiana State Police credited new DNA know-how and a podcast for serving to make arrests within the homicide of Sharp. The podcast generated new leads and knowledge, in addition to new witness cooperation.

Police labored with native radio host Charles Dowdy with the Lake 94.7 from the Northshore Media Group in 2025 to supply a podcast referred to as "Who Killed Roxanne," which generated "new info, leads, and witness cooperation beforehand unknown to investigators."

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Darrell Spell was charged with aggravated rape and second-degree homicide. (Montgomery County Sheriff's Workplace)

"These arrests spotlight the continued dedication of regulation enforcement to pursue justice, no matter how a lot time has handed. By advancements in investigative techniques and robust interagency cooperation, circumstances as soon as thought unsolvable can nonetheless be delivered to decision," the Louisiana State Police mentioned in a press release.

Sharp’s niece, Michele Lappin, advised the Related Press she hopes the arrests will present closure.

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"We recognize the arduous work and love that has been proven to Roxanne Sharp’s case," Lappin mentioned. "We hope that with justice will come therapeutic and closure for our household, her family members and the group."

Billy Williams Jr.’s son, Billy Williams III, in the meantime, is adamant that his father did not kill Sharp.

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Billy Williams was charged with second-degree homicide and aggravated rape. (St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Workplace)

"He thinks they’re placing him in for one thing he didn’t do," Williams III mentioned. "He says he would by no means in his life damage anybody."

Taylor and Cooper have been already in jail on unrelated costs, in response to police.

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Covington Police Division Chief Michael Ferrell mentioned in a press release that his company by no means gave up on Sharp's case.

"The decision of Roxanne Sharp’s case is a testomony to what occurs when devoted regulation enforcement officers refuse to let a sufferer be forgotten. For over 4 many years, the Covington Police Division and Louisiana State Police stored Roxanne’s case alive revisiting proof, following new leads, and carrying her title ahead even when solutions appeared out of attain. Cold cases don’t shut themselves," he mentioned.

"They shut as a result of folks present up, yr after yr, and refuse to give up. That's precisely what our companies did, and at present, Roxanne and her household lastly have the justice they've waited so lengthy for. We're happy with the work completed by each investigator who touched this case and deeply grateful for the partnership that made this second attainable."