Body of Louisiana Man Found Wrapped in Blanket on Baton Rouge Bridge
The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office reported that a 41-year-old male was found deceased on the Huey P. Long Bridge Thursday night.
Deputies reported that Gerard Nicholas Richard's body was wrapped inside a blanket, and his wrists were bound by rope and tape. His body sustained 'substantial trauma' from being run over by multiple vehicles.
According to WBRZ, a witness said they saw two cars come to a stop quickly in front of them on the bridge before speeding away. The witness told deputies that they stopped where the two vehicles pulled over and saw a body wrapped in a blanket.
Deputies questioned his girlfriend, Coshelia Conley, 36, who can be seen on security footage along with her son and mother moving trash bags of 'bloodied clothing items' at her apartment complex in Baker, Louisiana. The time stamp on the security footage indicated that they began moving evidence 30 minutes before Richard's body was found.
When law enforcement arrived at the apartment complex, they reportedly found ' a trail of blood and bleach' that led from the parking lot straight to her apartment. After further investigations made by the forensic team, they discovered areas that had been thoroughly cleaned to remove any traces of blood.
Conley told deputies that Richard left her apartment and took her vehicle hours before his body was found. However, deputies saw her car traveling toward East Feliciana Parish an hour after they found Richards's body. Later, the vehicle was found intentionally set on fire, according to law enforcement.
Deputies obtained a search warrant for the vehicle she drove to meet the homicide detectives and found a gas can, cloth towels soaked in bleach, and what appeared to be blood on the tailgate.
WBRZ reported that Coshelia Conley was arrested for accessory after the fact of second-degree murder and obstruction of justice.
An update just before midnight on Sunday named Conley's 18-year-old son Da'Sean and her 55-year-old mother Cathy Conley as the two other individuals involved.
According to new documents, Da'Sean and Richard got into a physical altercation, and De'Sean reportedly began punching and hitting Richard. They went outside in the parking lot, and a single gunshot was heard.
The family then began destroying evidence and disposed of Richard's body.
WBRZ reported that Da'Sean Conley was booked for second-degree murder and obstruction of justice. Cathy Conley was booked for principal to second-degree murder and obstruction of justice.
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