Four men arrested and charged in 1982 Louisiana cold case murder

8 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Apr 24

Perry Wayne Taylor, Darrel Dean Spell, Carlos Cooper, and Billy Williams Jr, all aged 64, were arrested after podcast tips and DNA evidence linked them to Roxanne Sharp's killing near Covington.
The suspects face aggravated rape and second-degree murder charges, carrying mandatory life sentences if convicted. Two were already in prison, one was arrested locally, and one awaits extradition from Ohio.
The case, unsolved for over 40 years due to scant evidence and public fear, was revived by the 2025 podcast 'Who Killed Roxanne Sharp?' highlighting the growing role of true-crime media in solving cold cases.

After 44 years, what new DNA evidence finally linked four suspects to the crime?

How can suspects be prosecuted for a violent crime committed nearly 45 years ago?

How did a true-crime podcast help solve a 44-year-old murder mystery?

What was the connection between the four elderly suspects and the teenage victim?

Two suspects were already in prison. What were their previous, unrelated crimes?

What 'culture of fear' kept a small town silent about a teen's murder for decades?