Four men have been charged in the 1982 murder of 16-year-old Roxanne Sharp in Covington, Louisiana, after a decades-long cold case was reopened with the help of a podcast and advanced DNA technology. The arrests mark a significant breakthrough in a case that had remained unsolved for over 40 years.
Part 1: Immediate Action & Core Facts
Four men—Perry Wayne Taylor, 64; Darrell Dean Spell, 64; Carlos Cooper, 64; and Billy Williams Jr., 62—were arrested on April 21 and 22 in connection with the rape and murder of Roxanne Sharp. Sharp was found dead in a wooded area in Covington on February 12, 1982. The Louisiana State Police credited the podcast 'Who Killed Roxanne' and new DNA technology for generating new leads and witness cooperation that led to the arrests.
Part 2: Deeper Dive & Context
The Role of the Podcast
The podcast, produced by local radio host Charles Dowdy in 2025, was a six-part series that revisited the case and uncovered previously unknown information. The Louisiana State Police stated that the podcast helped generate new leads and witness cooperation, which were crucial in reopening the investigation. The arrests were made through a coordinated effort involving the Covington Police Department, Louisiana State Police, and the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
The Arrests
Billy Williams Jr. was arrested at his home in Covington and charged with aggravated rape and second-degree murder. Darrell Spell was arrested in Dayton, Ohio, and is awaiting extradition to Louisiana. Perry Taylor and Carlos Cooper were already in custody at the Louisiana Department of Corrections on unrelated charges and were additionally charged in connection with Sharp’s murder.
Family Reaction
Roxanne Sharp’s niece, Michele Lappin, expressed hope that the arrests would provide closure for the family. The Louisiana State Police emphasized the commitment to pursuing justice regardless of the time that has passed, highlighting advancements in investigative techniques and interagency cooperation.
Legal Proceedings
All four men face charges of aggravated rape and second-degree murder. The case is expected to proceed through the legal system, with further details to be released as the investigation continues.