Landfill Remains, Murder Charge
Remains Found in Landfill Believed to Be Missing Teen; Suspect Faces Murder Charge
Key Points
A video from the back of a garbage truck captured Ja’Derrius Minnieweather being dumped at the Zachary-area landfill, allowing investigators to narrow the search to just over half an acre of the 400-acre site.
The United Cajun Navy assisted in parts of the search.
Investigators said a 16-year-old girl connected to Parms was arrested on June 10 on counts of indecent behavior with juveniles and computer-aided solicitation of a minor (and later released on bond).
Twelve other law-enforcement agencies aided the search, including FBI, Homeland Security Investigations and the Louisiana National Guard.
By mid-August, investigators had excavated 4,265 cubic yards of landfill material and processed 3,590 tons of waste, with daily productivity rising to about 221 tons per day.
Human remains found in a Zachary-area landfill are believed to be those of Ja'Derrius Minnieweather, a 15-year-old who vanished in early June, WAFB reported. Clothing found at the scene reportedly matches what the teen was wearing when he was last seen. DNA testing is underway to confirm his identity.
Maurice Parms, 51, is in custody on a first-degree murder charge. Investigators say he beat Minnieweather to death during a dispute and then disposed of the body and evidence, according to KSLA.
Garbage Truck Video Cracked the Case Open
A key piece of video evidence broke the investigation. Surveillance footage from inside a garbage truck showed Minnieweather's body being dumped at the landfill. That video let investigators narrow the 400-acre search site down to just over half an acre, according to WAFB.
Parms was arrested on June 20, about two weeks after the teen disappeared in early June. Investigators said the dispute centered on a 16-year-old girl connected to Parms. That girl was arrested on June 10 on counts of indecent behavior with juveniles and computer-aided solicitation of a minor. She was later released on bond, Louisiana Radio Network reported.
Twelve Agencies Dug Through Thousands of Tons of Waste
The search was massive. Twelve law-enforcement agencies joined the effort, including the FBI's New Orleans Field Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Louisiana National Guard. LSU's FACES lab, a forensic anthropology team, also assisted. The United Cajun Navy helped with parts of the search, WFLX reported.
By mid-August, crews had dug through 4,265 cubic yards of landfill material and processed 3,590 tons of waste. Daily output reached about 221 tons per day. The hazardous conditions and sheer size of the site made specialized resources essential, officials said.
'Son of Baton Rouge Is Coming Home'
Officials announced the discovery with a sense of relief and grief. WAFB quoted authorities saying, "Son of Baton Rouge is coming home," signaling the end of a search that lasted roughly two months. A formal news conference was scheduled to give further details as the case moves forward.
The discovery closes a grim chapter in the search but opens the next phase: confirming identity through DNA and building the murder case against Parms. He faces a first-degree murder charge, which in Louisiana can carry the death penalty, Louisiana Radio Network noted.
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