Podcast helps cops crack case of teen found dead in the woods 40 years ago

By LAUREN ACTON-TAYLOR, US NEWS REPORTER Published: 02:47, 28 April 2026 | Updated: 02:47, 28 April 2026 A 40-year-old cold case was solved with the help of a podcast after the body of a 16-year-old girl was discovered in the woods of Louisiana.  Roxanne Sharp, 16, was found murdered and raped in a wooded area in Covington on February 12, 1982.  Sharp's family grappled with the brutal killing which remained unsolved for years, as law enforcement agencies were unable to obtain much evidence or information. But the podcast, 'Who Killed Roxanne,' uncovered new information, leads and witnesses that finally led to the arrests of four suspects in Sharp's gruesome murder.  Detectives, Louisiana State Police troopers, SWAT and the Covington Police Department arrested Billy Williams Jr, 62, at his home in Covington on April 21.  Williams was charged with aggravated rape and second-degree murder and booked into the St Tammany Parish Jail, according to a release from the LSP.  'At the same time, in a coordinated effort, agents with the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation located and arrested Darrell Spell at a residence in Dayton, Ohio,' the release stated.  Spell, 64, was booked into the Montgomery County Jail and is awaiting extradition to Louisiana. Roxanne Sharp, 16, was found murdered and raped in a wooded area in Covington on February 12, 1982. Now, over 40 years later four arrests were made thanks to a local podcast The 'Who Killed Roxanne' podcast, produced by local radio host Charles Dowdy, was a six-part series that aired in 2025 Billy Williams Jr, 62, and Darrell Spell, 64, were both arrested in connection with Sharp's murder and charged with aggravated rape and second-degree murder On April 22, law enforcement made contact with Perry Taylor, 64, and Carlos Cooper, 64, who were already being held at the Louisiana Department of Corrections on unrelated charges.  All four men face the same charges.  'These arrests highlight the continued commitment of law enforcement to pursue justice, regardless of how much time has passed,' the release stated.  LSP added that advancements in investigative techniques and 'strong interagency cooperation' has meant that 'cases once thought unsolvable can still be brought to resolution.' The podcast, produced by local radio host Charles Dowdy, was a six-part series that aired in 2025.  Marc Gremillion, a spokesperson for the LSP, told the Associated Press: 'It helped our investigators piece together where Roxanne was days before to the time she died, to where we're at now.' 'It was a very large help with getting that message out to the public, and then, therefore, those witnesses getting back to us,' he added.  Dowdy told the outlet that, when the podcast first aired, they 'thought nobody cared.' On April 22, law enforcement made contact with Perry Taylor, 64, and Carlos Cooper, 64, who were already being held at the Louisiana Department of Corrections on unrelated charges 'We were quickly corrected,' he said. 'A lot of people stepped up and said they knew Roxanne, they remembered her, they were friends with her.' According to Gremillion, Sharp was an acquaintance of all four men and had been known to frequent the neighborhood they lived in.  Michele Lappin, Sharp's niece, told AP in a statement on behalf of her family: 'We appreciate the hard work and love that has been showed to Roxanne Sharp's case.  'We hope that with justice will come healing and closure for our family, her loved ones and the community.'  Justin Joiner, a St Tammany Parish resident, said that his father had worked on the case and was one of the first police officers who arrived at the scene where Sharp's body was discovered.  'It's been a big black cloud on the community,' Joiner said, adding that his father kept a briefcase full of notes on the case until his passing last year.  'Nobody would talk about it - it was hush, hush, you talk about it in your house, not in public.' Covington Police Department Chief Michael Ferrell said the solving of the case is a 'testament to what happens when dedicated law enforcement officers refuse to let a victim be forgotten.' District Attorney Collin Sims, seen above, echoed similar sentiments and said that the case served as a 'powerful example of what persistence, collaboration and advancements in investigative technology can accomplish' 'Cold cases don’t close themselves. 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,' he said in the release.  '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.' District Attorney Collin Sims echoed similar sentiments and said that the case served as a 'powerful example of what persistence, collaboration and advancements in investigative technology can accomplish.' 'For more than four decades, this victim and her family have waited for answers. Today’s arrests reflect our unwavering commitment to pursue justice—no matter how much time has passed—and to hold those responsible fully accountable,' he added.   Williams's son, however, said his father is protesting his arrest and added: 'He thinks they're putting him in for something he didn't do. He says he would never in his life hurt anyone.' It remains unclear if any of the four suspects have obtained legal representation for comment.   No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. 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