Tips generated by true-crime podcast lead to arrests in unsolved 1982 killing in Louisiana
Summary
Four men were arrested for the 1982 murder and rape of Roxanne Sharp, a 16-year-old in Louisiana. New DNA testing and tips from a true-crime podcast helped police solve the case after more than 40 years.Key Facts
- Roxanne Sharp was found dead in 1982 near Covington, Louisiana, after being raped and murdered.
- Four suspects, all 64 years old from Covington, were arrested and face charges of aggravated rape and second-degree murder.
- The suspects are Perry Wayne Taylor, Darrel Dean Spell, Carlos Cooper, and Billy Williams Jr.
- Two suspects were already in prison; one was recently arrested in Louisiana, and another was caught in Ohio awaiting extradition.
- A true-crime podcast called "Who Killed Roxanne Sharp?" released in early 2025 led to new tips and witnesses.
- Police also used improved DNA technology and re-examined old evidence to identify suspects.
- The podcast was created with help from local media and the state police public relations office.
- The case shows how persistence, teamwork, and new tools can help solve very old crimes.
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