Full Breakdown
Podcast Leads to Arrests in 1982 Murder of Roxanne Sharp
4/25/2026, 11:37:46 AM
The Breakthrough: Podcast Spurs New Leads in a 44-Year-Old 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 in the 1982 killing of 16-year-old Roxanne Sharp. Investigators credit the six-part series “Who Killed Roxanne Sharp?” for generating fresh tips that revived a case long considered cold.
Background: A Cold Case Stalled for Decades
Sharp’s body was discovered on 12 February 1982 in a wooded area near the St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds, about 30 miles north of New Orleans. Initial inquiries yielded limited forensic evidence and few cooperative witnesses. A self-proclaimed confession by serial killer Henry Lucas was later retracted, and subsequent reviews found no link to the murder, leaving the case unsolved for more than four decades.
Key Figures & Groups
- Roxanne Sharp – victim, 16, resident of Covington.
- Perry Wayne Taylor (64), Darrell Dean Spell (64), Carlos Cooper (64), Billy Williams Jr. (62) – suspects, all acquaintances of Sharp and residents of Covington.
- Louisiana State Police – lead investigative agency, spokesperson Marc Gremillion.
- Covington Police Department – local law-enforcement partner, Chief Michael Ferrell.
- Northshore Media – producer of the podcast, vice-president Charles Dowdy.
- Report for America – nonprofit that placed journalists covering the story.
Timeline of Investigation
- 12 Feb 1982 – Sharp’s body found; case opened.
- 1990s – Henry Lucas falsely claims responsibility; later disproved.
- 2023 – State Police reopen the case, re-interview witnesses, submit DNA for retesting.
- 2025 – “Who Killed Roxanne Sharp?” podcast released.
- 21 Apr 2026 – Arrests of Williams (Covington) and Spell (Dayton, Ohio); Taylor and Cooper already in custody on unrelated charges.
Data & Statistics
- 44 years elapsed between the murder and the arrests.
- Four suspects charged; ages range 62–64.
- DNA evidence and public tips from the podcast were cited as pivotal new leads.
Official Statements & Responses
Louisiana State Police spokesperson Marc Gremillion said the podcast helped investigators reconstruct Sharp’s movements in the days before her death and amplified public outreach. Covington Police Chief Michael Ferrell emphasized that cold cases close only when community members continue to provide information. Sharp’s niece, Michele Lappin, expressed hope that justice will bring healing for the family.
Criticism & Opposition
Billy Williams III, son of the accused Billy Williams Jr., maintains his father’s innocence, stating he believes his father is being “put in for something he didn’t do.” Family members of Spell, Cooper and Taylor declined to comment.
On-the-Ground Reports
Justin Joiner, whose father was among the first officers at the crime scene, described the murder as a “big black cloud” over the community. He noted that the podcast revived inter-generational dialogue and prompted previously silent witnesses to speak.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The case was once thought solved after Henry Lucas’s false confession, a claim later retracted, illustrating earlier investigative errors. Details of the DNA findings and the timeline for upcoming trials remain undisclosed.
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
- “It’s been a big black cloud on the community,” — Justin Joiner, Covington resident
- “They close because people show up, year after year, and refuse to quit.” — Michael Ferrell, Covington Police Department Chief
- “He thinks they’re putting him in for something he didn’t do,” — Billy Williams III, son of Billy Williams Jr.
What’s Next
Darrell Dean Spell awaits extradition from Ohio, and all four suspects face upcoming arraignments in Louisiana. Prosecutors have indicated that further forensic analysis will continue, and the case is expected to proceed to trial later this year.
