Justice for Roxanne: Arrests Made in 1982 Cold Case Murder

Four men have been arrested and charged in connection with the 1982 murder of a 16-year-old girl in Covington, Louisiana. Roxanne Sharp's body was discovered in a wooded area near the St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds in February 1982. The case remained unsolved for over four decades due to limited evidence and cooperation at the time. State Police detectives reopened the investigation in 2023, reviewing evidence, re-interviewing witnesses, and resubmitting materials for DNA testing.

New leads emerged after a local podcast titled "Who Killed Roxanne" by radio host Charles Dowdy generated additional tips and witness cooperation. As the investigation progressed, authorities obtained arrest warrants for four suspects on charges of aggravated rape and second-degree murder. Williams was arrested in Covington, Spell was apprehended in Ohio and awaits extradition, while Taylor and Cooper are already in custody in the Louisiana Department of Corrections on unrelated charges.

The investigation into the 1982 murder of Roxanne Sharp continues as State Police work to bring justice to the victim and her family.