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Sims' body found in search
Posted 02-13-03
By George Graham
Staff Writer
JACKSON PARISH — An announcement was made by law enforcement officials at approximately 10:20 a.m. today that a body found during a search here for a missing Louisiana Tech University English instructor was indeed that of Stephanie Pepper Sims.
“We found her,” West Monroe Police Department Sgt. Jeff Terrell said.
A group of officers from the Louisiana State Police found the body, according to officials, near a pond near Sizemore Road in Jackson Parish on the Jackson-Bienville Wildlife Management Area. The discovery was made on the northwest boundary of the search area.
Detective Johnny Lucas of the West Monroe Police Department said officials now have a suspect in the death.
“We do have a suspect,” Lucas said. “We’re fixing to go to the (District Attorney) and get a warrant.”
The body was found at about 10:05 a.m., and at that time, officers were not certain of its identity.
“We have found a body that’s intact, but we don’t know who it is,” Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office Deputy Investigator Scott Brown said earlier. “Efforts are under way to contact the Pepper family.”
A search was under way this morning for Stephanie Pepper Sims, the instructor who has been missing since Jan. 5.
At 7:20 a.m. this morning, approximately 141 officers gathered inside Ansley Union Church in Jackson Parish for a strategy briefing prior to conducting the search for Sims.
Chief Larry LaBorde, of West Monroe Metro Narcotics, spoke to the officers before the search began on the grounds of the Jackson-Bienville Wildlife Management Area.
“This is a difficult case,” LaBorde said. “We’re glad you are all here to help us. On Jan. 5, Ms. Sims came up missing. West Monroe Police Department has jurisdiction in this case and Maj. Stan Hayden and Sgt. Jeff Terrell have developed some significant information.”
Officers from several law enforcement agencies gathered for the search for the missing instructor, who was last seen near the wildlife reserve. Four mobile commands were set up for the search as well.
Lincoln Parish law enforcement agents include officers and deputies from the Ruston Police Department, Louisiana Tech University Police Department and Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office. Agents from surrounding parishes were involved in the search as well. The only volunteers allowed in the search were Army personnel.
“If you see anything suspicious that may be evidence, you are to halt your search immediately,” LaBorde said. “Do not advance. Protect any potential evidence and treat it as a crime scene.”
LaBorde told the officers the results of the investigation point to searching for a well or a hole in the ground.
In addition to the search at the wildlife reserve, seismograph surveyors were also on the grounds conducting research. Those surveyors were setting off underground charges and officers were warned to be aware of that. However, the surveyors were not in the area of the search.
Not all of the officers in the search were armed, but at least one from each group is armed in case wildlife from the reserve interfere with the search.
Four bloodhounds, one from the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office and three from the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office, searched with the officers and deputies.
Absolutely tragic. My heart goes out to her family. I really hope they catch the person who did it and he gets what's coming to him.
Put them on trial in Texas. We don't take to kindly to murder and people DO get what's coming to them!
TDF
Unless it happens to be your own children.Originally Posted by TechDawgFan
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