UPDATE: Chiasson’s family reported that she returned home Thursday morning shortly after this release was issued. Detectives have confirmed she is back home and safe.
ORIGINAL POST:
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a Silver Alert has been issued statewide for 82-year-old Lydie Chiasson of Bayou Blue who has been missing since Wednesday, October 2, 2019. She was last seen at around 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday leaving her residence with an unknown male friend in a small brown van, which is possibly a Dodge Caravan. She does not have a cell phone in her possession.
Chiasson is a white female with gray hair, 5’3” tall, and she weighs approximately 130 pounds. She was last seen wearing a black and white shirt bearing a pattern design with black pants.
If anyone has seen Lydie Chiasson or has any knowledge of her whereabouts, please contact the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office immediately at (985) 532-2808, or simply call 911.
Pictured from left to right: Tim Murchison (CMAA Chair), Bill Lacher (Project Manager, Best Management Practices Consulting, LLC), Sheriff Craig Webre, and Andrea Rutledge (CMAA Executive Director)
Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex has been recognized with a national project achievement award. The Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) named the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex the top project in the country among all government construction under $50 million. The project consultant, Best Management Practices Consulting, LLC, was also recognized in the award presentation.
Sheriff Webre said, “This national award is a reflection of the tireless efforts and tenacious work by our staff, consultants, and contractors who saw this project through from the planning phase to completion.”
In August, the Correctional Complex received the regional honor from the association’s Gulf Coast Chapter, allowing for an opportunity for the national honor. Sheriff Webre then accepted the national award on September 26, 2019, at the CMAA National Conference and Trade Show in Orlando, Florida. The Correctional Complex was one of 14 construction projects across the country honored for outstanding achievement in construction management.
Sheriff Webre added, “The credit for this belongs to the citizens of Lafourche Parish who voted to tax themselves to construct a new, safer jail. We have constructed a facility that has met and hopefully exceeded those expectations. Our ultimate goal was to usher in a new era of corrections for our parish, and we now have an amazing facility to accomplish that goal.
For more information on the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex, please visit www.LPSO.net/LPCC.
The CMAA is dedicated to improving our nation’s infrastructure by advancing professional construction and program management worldwide. Its membership is made up of public and private organizations, owners, and practitioners. The association provides professional development, certification, advocacy, and business opportunities to its members and the entire construction management industry. For more information on the Construction Management Association of America, please visit www.CMAANET.org
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a Larose couple was found dead on Tuesday after a double shooting believed to be a murder-suicide. Nicholas Verdin, 35, and Tiffany Naquin Verdin, 41, were pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives believe Nicholas Verdin shot Tiffany Verdin before taking his own life.
The incident was reported just before noon on Tuesday, October 1, 2019, after a teenager living at the house in the 100 block of Louis Drive in Larose discovered the couple.
Based on evidence collected at the scene, detectives believe Nicholas Verdin shot Tiffany Verdin before turning the gun on himself and taking his own life. The residence is equipped with a surveillance system that showed no unknown subjects entering or leaving the residence since the previous night, and there were no signs of forced entry.
“We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the families of those involved in this tragic incident,” said Sheriff Craig Webre. “Investigators are still processing evidence, but all signs point to this incident being determined as a murder-suicide.”
The investigation is continuing, and any developments contrary to the initial findings will be announced.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced detectives are on scene investigating two deaths at a Larose residence. A man and woman were found dead inside a bedroom at a residence on Louis Street on Tuesday, October 1, 2019.
The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will have more information on this incident as it can be made available.
Lafourche Parish President Jimmy Cantrelle issues a proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month on September 24, 2019. Pictured from left to right are Kimberly Clement (The Haven), Brittany Lodrigue (LPSO/The PACT Place), Major Renee Brinkley (LPSO), Pam Guedry (LPSO/The PACT Place), President Cantrelle, Captain Karla Beck (LPSO), Melissa Williams (The Haven), Allie Fournet (Lafourche Parish District Attorney’s Office), and Geralyn Pitre (Lafourche Parish District Attorney’s Office).
Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office is promoting awareness of domestic violence throughout the month of October, nationally as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Last week, Lafourche Parish President Jimmy Cantrelle issued a proclamation declaring the month of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Lafourche Parish.
This year’s theme is “Lafourche Parish: Making Waves Against Domestic Violence.” The theme was born from the analogy that domestic violence is like a stone tossed into the bayou; the ripples radiate outward in circles and touch everything in their path. The effects of domestic violence are felt not only with the victims but with their family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and advocates who serve them. In a nutshell, domestic violence impacts the entire community.
The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Lafourche Parish District Attorney’s Office, The Haven, and The P.A.C.T. Place Supervised Visitation and Monitored Exchange Center are partnering once again to host the annual Domestic Violence Candlelight Vigil. The event will take place on Thursday, October 24, 2019, at 6 p.m. at the Lafourche Central Market, located at 4484 Highway 1 in Raceland. The event is designed to remember the victims, honor and support the survivors of domestic violence, and recognize how our community can join together to create waves against domestic violence. A domestic violence survivor will share her story of hope in an effort to inspire others to action.
“Lafourche Parish has a moral obligation to make it a priority to recognize, address, and end domestic violence,” said Sheriff Craig Webre. “Domestic violence affects us all. It impacts all aspects of our parish including community health, crime rates, the ability to participate in the workforce, child development, and family dynamics. Lafourche Parish is a better place when each citizen feels safe, secure, and free from the threat of violence. We all have a vested interest in working towards eliminating violence in all forms.”
In May 2019, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office was recognized as the “Ally of the Year” by the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence for several programs and initiatives, including Police Social Services and the P.A.C.T. Place Supervised Visitation and Monitored Exchange Center, as well as recent legislative efforts in the fight against domestic violence. During the presentation of the award, Julie Pellegrin, Executive Director of The Haven, praised the work of the sheriff’s office. “LPSO is an unmatched ally in our work to eliminate Domestic Violence,” said Pellegrin. “Sheriff Webre and his team walk the walk and talk the talk on a daily basis. Their dedication to effective intervention in domestic violence is impressive, but it’s the passion they display that is inspiring and unparalleled.”
For more information about the vigil, please contact The P.A.C.T. Place at (985) 532-4390.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Police Social Services at (985) 449-4477.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a man who fired several rounds from a rifle toward people in a Galliano bar. Angel Barrios-Mayorga, 43, of Cut Off faces charges of aggravated assault and property damage in the incident.
Just after 11:30 p.m. on September 28, 2019, deputies received a call of someone firing shots from a truck in Galliano. While responding, deputies learned the truck was now headed northbound on LA Highway 3235. Deputies and an officer from the Golden Meadow Police Department conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. Deputies ordered the driver out of the vehicle, and he complied. He was identified as Angel Barrios-Mayorga.
Through investigation, deputies learned Barrios-Mayorga and another individual were causing a disturbance in a bar earlier that night and were forced to leave. Barrios-Mayorga reportedly became irate and said he would return with guns to shoot everyone at the bar. He did return a short time later, exited his vehicle, and allegedly fired several rounds from a rifle toward people at the bar. There were six patrons at the bar at the time. He then left in his vehicle traveling on LA 3235 before being stopped by deputies.
Following the investigation, Barrios-Mayorga was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was charged with six counts of Aggravated Assault with a Firearm and Aggravated Criminal Damage to Property. Bail is set at $1.25 million. He is also being held for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will conduct a DWI checkpoint on September 30, 2019, in Lafourche Parish. The DWI checkpoint will begin on Monday, September 30, and will continue into the early morning hours of Tuesday, October 1. During the checkpoint, deputies will be looking for drivers who are possibly impaired while checking for other traffic safety issues. These checkpoints are designed to help raise awareness for these types of violations and make the highways of the parish safer for all motorists.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s help to identify a suspect wanted for the theft of a wallet in Lafourche Parish. The suspect is also wanted in Terrebonne Parish due to using a stolen credit card there.
Detectives are investigating a vehicle burglary in the Cut Off area in which a wallet was stolen from an unlocked vehicle. The wallet contained a debit card, driver’s license, and other important documents. Deputies had collected evidence at the scene and questioned a possible suspect in the case.
Meanwhile, investigators learned the debit card was used at a department store in Terrebonne Parish. Surveillance cameras captured images of a slender white man as he was leaving the store with a television he had purchased with the stolen card. He also purchased several other electronic devices with the stolen card including a laptop computer.
Investigators in Lafourche and Terrebonne are asking for the public’s help to identify the suspect in this case. Anyone who can identify this suspect is asked to submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers Bayou Region by phone at 1-800-743-7433 or online at www.crimestoppersbr.org. Tips can also be submitted using the P3 Tips app on your mobile device. Tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 in cash if the information leads to an arrest.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s help in an investigation into the theft of copper wire from an oilfield service company in Larose.
On the evening of September 22, 2019, deputies responded to a theft reported at an oilfield service company located on LA Highway 308 in Larose. Through investigation, deputies found the fence on the property had been cut in three places and over 1,000 feet of copper wire valued at several thousand dollars had been stolen from the property. The theft was determined to have occurred between 5 p.m. on Friday, September 20 and 7:15 p.m. on Sunday, September 22. Evidence was collected at the scene, and the investigation is continuing.
Detectives are asking for the public’s help to solve this crime. Anyone with any knowledge of this crime is asked to submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers Bayou Region by phone at 1-800-743-7433 or online at www.crimestoppersbr.org. Tips can also be submitted using the P3 Tips app on your mobile device. Tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 in cash if the information leads to an arrest.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced an elderly man who was injured in Mathews on Tuesday has died. Huey Hunter, 82, died of an apparent medical issue. Detectives do not suspect any foul play in his death.
Just after 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 24, a concerned citizen called 911 in reference to an unresponsive elderly man, later identified as Hunter, with lying on the side of the road in the 100 block of Johnny Dufrene Drive in Mathews. A deputy arrived and found a concerned citizen administering CPR to Hunter. The deputy took over administering CPR until EMTs arrived. EMTs established a pulse and rushed Hunter to a local hospital. He was then airlifted to University Medical Center in New Orleans where he later passed away.
Detectives attended an autopsy on Wednesday, September 25. While the final determination is pending, detectives believe a medical issue caused Hunter to collapse. He did not suffer any injuries that would indicate he was struck by a vehicle, and there was no other evidence of foul play.
