Current:Home > MyBody of Baton Rouge therapist found wrapped in tarp off Louisiana highway, killer at large -TruePath Finance
Body of Baton Rouge therapist found wrapped in tarp off Louisiana highway, killer at large
View
Date:2025-04-12 12:11:06
Officials are asking the public for help identifying a person of interest sought in connection with the killing of a therapist found wrapped in a tarp along a Louisiana highway.
The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office reported William Nicholas Abraham, 69, was discovered dead along a roadway in the parish on the state's southeastern border over the weekend.
Abraham's body was found by a passerby Sunday morning along Highway 51 between the unincorporated community of Fluker and the Village of Tangipahoa − about 60 miles northeast of Baton Rouge, where detectives said he worked.
Abraham's body was found wrapped inside a tarp, and the local coroner’s office determined he died as a result of blunt force trauma and ruled his death a homicide, the sheriff's office wrote in a release.
What to know:Texas set to execute Garcia Glen White, who confessed to 5 murders
Nick Abraham's vehicle located, crashed by driver who fled
According to an update from the sheriff's office, law enforcement located the victim's vehicle on Monday afternoon, but the driver of the vehicle sped away from a traffic stop.
At some point, the driver crashed the car and ran from the scene, officials said.
The person's identity was not immediately known by officials, law enforcement reported.
The sheriff's office provided photos of the driver, captured by store surveillance video, described as a thin, Black male with short black hair, wearing a long-sleeve black shirt and khaki shorts.
Officials did not provide a description of the victim's vehicle.
Who was William 'Nick' Abraham?
According to his biography on his webpage, Abraham was a life coach, licensed professional counselor, motivational speaker, author and more.
"With more than 30 years experience in treating substance abuse, depression and anxiety, he provides psychotherapy, guidance and psycho-education to couples, individuals, adolescents and families," the bio reads.
His office was based near the city's Mid City South neighborhood about 7 miles east from downtown Baton Rouge.
"Dr. Nick Abraham was a light, a wonderful therapist who went that extra step and reached out to his clients beyond appointments and really truly loved, cared and shared the light of God," one of his friends posted on Facebook following his death. "I’ll miss him and I pray for his dear friends and family."
Another person wrote, "Was just talking about him at lunch… about when he lead the audience in the singing of “God Bless America” a few years ago at the annual Golden Deeds Award banquet after our confirmed singer failed to show. A unique and talented person; a kind soul. Condolences to his family and friends. May Nick’s memory be for a blessing and may God’s countenance forever shine brightly on his soul."
Motive in Baton Rouge therapist's killing not immediately known
A motive in the slaying was not provided by officials.
USA TODAY reached out to the sheriff's office who directed additional questions to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office, which they said is the lead agency on the case.
That office could not immediately be reached Tuesday morning.
Anyone with information about the person seen in these pictures is asked to call 985-902-2008. To share information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa’s tip line at 1-800-554-5245 or visit www.tangicrimestoppers.com
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
veryGood! (72)
Related
- Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
- Powerball winning numbers for for Jan. 17 drawing, as jackpot grows to $102 million
- Fan’s racist abuse of match official leads to 1-point deduction for French soccer club Bastia
- Congress voting Thursday to avert shutdown and keep federal government funded through early March
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Sonic has free food for teachers and school staff this week. Here's how to redeem.
- Reba McEntire, Post Malone and Andra Day to sing during Super Bowl pregame
- Reba McEntire to sing national anthem at Super Bowl, plus Post Malone and Andra Day performances
- Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
- Anti-crime bill featuring three-strikes provision wins approval from GOP-led House panel in Kentucky
Ranking
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- Elton John achieves EGOT status with Emmy Award win
- China, Philippines agree to lower tensions on South China Sea confrontations
- Chiefs vs. Bills playoff game weather forecast: Is any snow expected in Buffalo?
- Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
- Reviewers Say These 21 Genius Products Actually Helped Them Solve Gross Problems
- Kids of color get worse health care across the board in the U.S., research finds
- Pennsylvania can’t stop young adults from openly carrying guns during emergencies, US court rules
Recommendation
Bill Belichick's salary at North Carolina: School releases football coach's contract details
Amazon to carry several pro sports teams' games after investment in Diamond Sports
Powerball winning numbers for for Jan. 17 drawing, as jackpot grows to $102 million
Boost for homebuyers: Average long-term mortgage rate falls to 6.6%, lowest level since May
The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
Penny the 10-foot shark surfaces near Florida, marking nearly 5,000 miles in her journey
'The Last Fire Season' describes what it was like to live through Calif.'s wildfires
Where is the coldest city in the U.S. today? Here's where temperatures are lowest right now.