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A breakthrough in a decades-old cold case has led to charges against four men in Louisiana, accused of the rape and murder of 16-year-old Roxanne Sharp, whose tragic end remained unsolved for 40 years. The case gained renewed attention due to advancements in DNA technology and the investigative efforts of a podcast.
Back on February 12, 1982, Sharp’s body was discovered in a wooded area in Covington, Louisiana. Despite determining that she had been raped and murdered, the Covington Police Department faced significant hurdles, with minimal physical evidence and a lack of public cooperation stalling their efforts. As a result, the investigation went cold, remaining dormant until recent developments reignited the quest for justice.
Now, four men from Covington have been charged with aggravated rape and second-degree murder regarding Sharp’s death. Perry Wayne Taylor, Darrell Dean Spell, and Carlos Cooper, all 64, along with Billy Williams Jr., 62, were taken into custody on April 21 and 22.
This image, shared by Michele Lappin, captures Roxanne Sharp in Covington, Louisiana, in 1980. (Michele Lappin via AP)
The arrests came about through the collaborative efforts of the Louisiana State Police, cutting-edge DNA analysis, and a true-crime podcast that shed new light on the case. This podcast not only provided fresh leads but also encouraged witnesses to come forward, breathing new life into the investigation.
Police worked with local radio host Charles Dowdy with the Lake 94.7 from the Northshore Media Group in 2025 to produce a podcast called “Who Killed Roxanne,” which generated “new information, leads, and witness cooperation previously unknown to investigators.”
Darrell Spell was charged with aggravated rape and second-degree murder. (Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office)
“These arrests highlight the continued commitment of law enforcement to pursue justice, regardless of how much time has passed. Through advancements in investigative techniques and strong interagency cooperation, cases once thought unsolvable can still be brought to resolution,” the Louisiana State Police said in a statement.
Sharp’s niece, Michele Lappin, told the Associated Press she hopes the arrests will provide closure.
“We appreciate the hard work and love that has been shown to Roxanne Sharp’s case,” Lappin said. “We hope that with justice will come healing and closure for our family, her loved ones and the community.”
Billy Williams Jr.’s son, Billy Williams III, meanwhile, is adamant that his father didn’t kill Sharp.
Billy Williams was charged with second-degree murder and aggravated rape. (St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office)
“He thinks they’re putting him in for something he didn’t do,” Williams III said. “He says he would never in his life hurt anyone.”
Taylor and Cooper were already in prison on unrelated charges, according to police.
Covington Police Department Chief Michael Ferrell said in a statement that his agency never gave up on Sharp’s case.
“The resolution of Roxanne Sharp’s case is a testament to what happens when dedicated law enforcement officers refuse to let a victim be forgotten. For over four decades, the Covington Police Department and Louisiana State Police kept Roxanne’s case alive revisiting evidence, following new leads, and carrying her name forward even when answers seemed out of reach. Cold cases don’t close themselves,” he said.
“They close because people show up, year after year, and refuse to quit. That is exactly what our agencies did, and today, Roxanne and her family finally have the justice they have waited so long for. We are proud of the work done by every investigator who touched this case and deeply grateful for the partnership that made this moment possible.”