{"id":86412,"date":"2026-04-29T06:32:47","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T06:32:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/true-crime-podcast-leads-to-breakthrough-in-1982-cold-case\/"},"modified":"2026-04-29T06:32:47","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T06:32:47","slug":"true-crime-podcast-leads-to-breakthrough-in-1982-cold-case","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/true-crime-podcast-leads-to-breakthrough-in-1982-cold-case\/","title":{"rendered":"True Crime Podcast Leads to Breakthrough in 1982 Cold Case"},"content":{"rendered":"


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More than four decades after a Louisiana teenager was raped and murdered, four men have been charged in connection with her killing \u2014 a breakthrough investigators credit in part to a true crime podcast that brought new witnesses forward.<\/p>\n

Roxanne Sharp<\/strong>, 16, was found dead on February 12, 1982, in a wooded area near the St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds in Covington, Louisiana, about 30 miles north of New Orleans.<\/p>\n

Investigators determined she had been raped and murdered, with her body left at the scene. The Covington Police Department led the initial investigation. But the cold case stalled for years because of insufficient physical evidence and witnesses reluctant to cooperate.<\/p>\n

At one point, authorities believed the case had been solved when serial killer Henry Lucas<\/strong> confessed to the murder. Lucas, who was known for making false confessions, later retracted his claim, and additional evidence ruled out his involvement.<\/p>\n

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Related: <\/span>Suspect Arrested, Charged With Capital Murder in 1990 Cold Case<\/span>
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\n\t\t\tA man has been arrested and charged with capital murder in connection to the 1990 \u201cLover\u2019s Lane\u201d cold case in Nebraska, in which a young man and woman were viciously killed. Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare announced that Floyd William Parrott has been charged with capital murder for the 1990 deaths of Cheryl Henry, [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

In 2023, the Louisiana State Police Covington Field Office took over as lead investigators. Detectives reviewed the original case file, re-examined physical evidence and re-interviewed witnesses and possible suspects. Original evidence was resubmitted for modern DNA testing, and new evidence was gathered.<\/p>\n

How a True Crime Podcast Helped Crack the Case<\/h2>\n

In 2025, investigators partnered with Northshore Media Group and radio host Charles Dowdy<\/strong> from Lake 94.7 to create a six-part series titled \u201cWho Killed Roxanne?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dowdy, who serves as vice president of Northshore Media, recorded audio while investigators recreated the crime scene, using measuring tapes to mark where Sharp\u2019s body and other evidence were found. The recreation revealed Sharp had been grabbed from the street and dragged into the woods.<\/p>\n

The \u201cWho Killed Roxanne?\u201d podcast generated significant public response, new tips and witnesses who came forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we started the podcast, we kind of thought nobody cared \u2014 we were quickly corrected,\u201d Dowdy told The Associated Press. \u201cA lot of people stepped up and said they knew Roxanne, they remembered her, they were friends with her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Louisiana State Police spokesperson Marc Gremillion<\/strong> told The Associated Press the series proved pivotal.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt helped our investigators piece together where Roxanne was days before to the time she died, to where we\u2019re at now,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was a very large help with getting that message out to the public, and then, therefore, those witnesses getting back to us.\u201d<\/p>\n

4 Men Arrested in Roxanne Sharp\u2019s Cold Case<\/h2>\n

All four suspects face charges of aggravated rape and second-degree murder.<\/p>\n

They are Perry Wayne Taylor<\/strong>, 64, of Covington; Darrell Dean Spell<\/strong>, 64, of Covington; Carlos Cooper<\/strong>, 64, of Covington; and Billy Williams Jr.<\/strong>, 62, of Covington. Sharp knew the four suspects and frequently spent time in their neighborhood.<\/p>\n

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Related: <\/span>Docuseries Tries to Answer Why Bryan Kohberger Killed the Idaho 4: Revelations<\/span>
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\n\t\t\tPrime Video\u2019s One Night in Idaho: The College Murders offers new insight into the November 13, 2022, deaths of Maddie Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin \u2014 ultimately trying to answer the question of Bryan Kohberger\u2019s motivation. The four-part docuseries, released on Friday, July 11, offered a breakdown of what happened when Kohberger [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

On April 21, 2026, Williams was arrested at his Covington home and booked into St. Tammany Parish Jail. The arrest involved CFO detectives, Louisiana State Police Troop L, LSP SWAT and Covington Police.<\/p>\n

Simultaneously, Spell was arrested in Dayton, Ohio, by the Ohio Attorney General\u2019s Bureau of Criminal Investigation; he is being held at Montgomery County Jail awaiting extradition to Louisiana.<\/p>\n

On April 22, 2026, detectives contacted Taylor and Cooper, who were already in Louisiana Department of Corrections custody on unrelated charges.<\/p>\n

Officials and Family Members Respond to Breakthrough in Case<\/h2>\n

District Attorney Collin Sims<\/strong> said the arrests reflect persistent work across multiple agencies.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor more than four decades, this victim and her family have waited for answers,\u201d he said. \u201cToday\u2019s arrests reflect our unwavering commitment to pursue justice \u2014 no matter how much time has passed \u2014 and to hold those responsible fully accountable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Covington Police Chief Michael Ferrell<\/strong> credited investigators who refused to give up.<\/p>\n

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