UPDATE: Tangipahoa Murder Suspect in Custody in Texas

The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office has assumed the homicide investigation for 69-year-old William Nicholas Abraham of Baton Rouge after discovering evidence in East Baton Rouge Parish consistent with foul play.

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Terryon Thomas (age 20), who is currently in custody in Dallas, Texas is charged with Second Degree Murder and Obstruction of Justice. 

"I appreciate the work done by the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office, Baton Rouge Police Department, U.S. Marshal's Service and all others involved," Sheriff Sid Gautreaux said. "This is an ongoing investigation that will take time to gather further evidence. I hope that this arrest may bring some closure and assurance to friends and family." 

“I am incredibly proud of the TPSO team, and the public, for working together so quickly to lead to this strong case closure. We are confident EBRSO’s continuous work going forward will find the answers many of us would like to have and we stand ready to assist with that effort at any point," Tangipahoa Sheriff Gerald Sticker said. 

The relationship of the suspect to the victim and the murder motive are still under investigation. At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that Thomas was a client of Abraham. 

This incident is under investigation and further updates will be provided when available for release. 

Thomas will be extradited to EBR for court at a later date.

Person of Interest Sought in Tangipahoa Homicide

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office (TPSO) is asking the public to help identify a person of interest in the homicide investigation of a Baton Rouge man.

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Detectives believe the individual seen in these store surveillance pictures is the last person known to have been driving 69-year-old William Nicholas Abraham’s vehicle. The vehicle was located by Baton Rouge Police Monday (September 30, 2024) afternoon. The driver of the vehicle, at the time, sped away from a traffic stop and ultimately ran away after crashing the car.

Abraham’s body was found Sunday (September 29, 2024) morning  wrapped in a tarp on the side of Highway 51 between Fluker and the Village of Tangipahoa. The Coroner’s Office has ruled Abraham was killed by blunt force trauma.

Sheriff Gerald Sticker encourages anyone with information about the person seen in these pictures to contact the Criminal Investigations Office at 985-902-2008. 

If you’d prefer to share information anonymously, you can do so through Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa’s tip line at 1-800-554-5245 or visit www.tangicrimestoppers.com and click on the P3 Tips icon or Submit A Tip! You may be eligible for a cash reward.

Body Found Wrapped in a Tarp Near Tangipahoa

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office (TPSO) is investigating the discovery of a body wrapped in a tarp along Highway 51 between Fluker and the Village of Tangipahoa..Just before 8 a.m. on Sunday (September 29, 2024), a passerby reported a suspicious, rolled-up tarp and responding deputies discovered the body of a white male was inside of the tarp.

Following an autopsy, the victim has been identified as 69-year-old William Nicholas Abraham of Baton Rouge. WAFB is reporting (at https://www.wafb.com/2024/09/30/body-baton-rouge-therapist-found-tangipahoa-parish/) that the deceased is a Baton Rouge mental health therapist.

According to the Tangipahoa Parish Coroner’s Office, the preliminary cause of death is homicide and the manner of death is blunt force trauma. At this time, TPSO detectives are focusing their work first on determining where this homicide occurred. 

Sheriff Gerald Sticker encourages anyone with information about this crime and/or those responsible, to contact the Criminal Investigations Office at 985-902-2008. 

If you’d prefer to share information anonymously, you can do so through Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa’s tip line at 1-800-554-5245 or visit www.tangicrimestoppers.com and click on the P3 Tips icon or Submit A Tip! You may be eligible for a cash reward.