Four Men Charged In 1982 Louisiana Rape And Murder After Podcast Tips
Four men were charged Sunday, April 26, 2026, in the 1982 rape and murder of Roxanne Sharp in Louisiana after tips generated by a podcast renewed interest in the cold case. (cbsnews.com)
Authorities announced the arrests and formal charges after investigators received information tied to the podcast, which prompted listeners to submit tips and revisit evidence in the decades-old file.
The episode traces back to the 1982 killing, a 44-year-old cold case that has frustrated investigators and family members. Producers laid out case details and new theories over multiple episodes, and several listener tips ultimately fed the probe that produced the recent arrests.
Officials say the investigation remains active as prosecutors review evidence and determine next legal steps, while family members and community advocates watch for court filings and further updates.
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đ Key Facts
- On Friday, April 24, 2026, Louisiana State Police announced charges in the 1982 killing of 16-year-old Roxanne Sharp in St. Tammany Parish.
- Four men â Perry Wayne Taylor, Darrell Dean Spell, and Carlos Cooper, all 64, and Billy Williams Jr., 62 â were charged with aggravated rape and second-degree murder.
- A six-part podcast titled "Who Killed Roxanne Sharp?" produced by Northshore Media generated new tips and witnesses that investigators say were critical to solving the case.
- Two defendants, Cooper and Taylor, were already in prison on unrelated charges, while Williams and Spell were arrested earlier in the week of April 20, 2026.
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