BOUTTE, La. — Deputies in St. Charles Parish say the deaths of two men found in drainage canals were not related.
The body of 31-year-old Ellington Lockett was found on Friday, December 17th near the 100 block of Spruce Street. Detectives say he was last seen twice on December 14th; the first time at approximately 7:00 a.m. riding his bicycle on Magnolia Avenue towards Highway 90. The second time was around 9:00 p.m., not on his bicycle this time, wearing a black jacket, black pants, and brown shoes. Detectives say they believed he was headed to the area of S. Kinler to retrieve his bicycle the last time he was spotted. An autopsy revealed Lockett may have been stabbed to death.
If anyone has information related to this incident involving Lockett, they are urged to contact Detective Sergeant Thomas Plaisance of the S.C.S.O. at (985) 783-6807 or Crime Stoppers at (504) 822-1111 or 1 (877) 903-STOP. Callers do not have to give their name or testify to be eligible for the up to $2,500 reward or up to $5,000 in the incident of a homicide.
A second body was found in a drainage ditch on December 20th, just north of the 13400 block of Highway 90 in Boutte, LA. He was identified as 52-year-old Leroy Houston Jr. of Avondale. An autopsy showed no signs of physical trauma; the pathologist said he also suffered from moderate coronary artery disease, and emphysema, which was likely exacerbated by excited delirium, because of illegal narcotics in his system. Detectives do not suspect foul play, and they do not believe this case is related to the Lockett homicide.
If anyone has any information about the incident involving Houston Jr. they are asked to contact Detective Jenni Barrette with the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office at (985) 783-6807 or (985) 783-1135.
