Full Breakdown
Podcast Revives a 44-Year-Old Murder Investigation
4/25/2026, 10:30:24 AM
Arrests in the 1982 Roxanne Sharp Murder
Louisiana State Police announced that four men—Perry Wayne Taylor, Darrell Dean Spell, Carlos Cooper and Billy Williams Jr.—have been charged with aggravated rape and second-degree murder for the February 12, 1982 killing of 16-year-old Roxanne Sharp. Taylor and Cooper were already incarcerated on unrelated offenses; Spell was arrested in Dayton, Ohio, pending extradition, and Williams was taken into custody in Covington, Louisiana. Investigators attribute the breakthrough to tips generated by the true-crime podcast “Who Killed Roxanne Sharp?” and to new DNA analysis.
Background & Key Developments
Sharp’s body was found in woods near the St. Tammany Parish fairgrounds in 1982. A false confession by serial killer Henry Lucas was later dismissed, leaving the case cold for decades. In 2023 state investigators reopened the file, re-interviewed witnesses and submitted evidence for modern DNA testing. The six-part podcast aired in 2025, prompting multiple tip submissions and renewed community discussion, which investigators say helped locate additional witnesses and confirm suspect involvement.
Data & Statistics
- 44-year cold case.
- 4 suspects charged.
- 16-year-old victim.
- DNA testing pivotal.
- Podcast generated multiple tips.
Official Statements & Responses
Louisiana State Police said the podcast broadened awareness and generated leads. The agency highlighted advanced DNA technology as essential for confirming the suspects. District Attorney Collin Sims emphasized the department’s commitment to pursue justice and noted that convictions carry life sentences. Covington Police Chief Michael Ferrell added that cold cases close when community members step forward and persist.
Criticism & Opposition
Billy Williams Jr.’s son, Billy Williams III, publicly asserted his father’s innocence, saying he would never hurt anyone. Family members of Spell, Cooper and Taylor declined comment, leaving aspects of the arrests contested.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources list Williams’s age as 62 in some reports and 64 in others. The podcast’s debut is described as occurring in 2025, though exact timing varies. Independent verification of the DNA findings is not provided.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It helped our investigators piece together where Roxanne was days before to the time she died, to where we're at now,” — Marc Gremillion, Louisiana State Police spokesperson
- “When we started the podcast, we kind of thought nobody cared — we were quickly corrected,” — Charles Dowdy, vice president, Northshore Media
- “They close because people show up, year after year, and refuse to quit.” — Michael Ferrell, Covington Police Department Chief
- “This case is a powerful example of what persistence, collaboration, and advancements in investigative technology can accomplish.” — Collin Sims, District Attorney
What’s Next
The district attorney plans to present the evidence to a grand jury within weeks. Spell’s extradition from Ohio is pending, and all four suspects face upcoming trial proceedings that will determine the final resolution of the 1982 homicide.
