PRESS RELEASE — On January 15, 2010 at approximately 8:43 a.m., officers with the Lake Charles Police Department responded to the 300 block of Shattuck Street in reference to a homicide. During the course of the investigation it was determined that the victim was Linda Moore, 50 years of age.

On November 5, 2015 Detective Sergeant Franklin Fondel testified in a grand jury proceeding regarding this homicide. The grand jury rendered a verdict for a true bill indictment on suspect Roman Joseph Lastrapes, 26 years of age, for the charge of First Degree Murder of Linda Moore.

On December 9, 2015 Lake Charles Police Detectives and SWAT officers traveled to the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, Louisiana, to transport Roman Joseph Lastrapes to the Calcasieu Parish Correctional Center to await trial for the homicide.

Roman Joseph Lastrapes is serving time in Angola for a previous conviction that occurred on April 5, 2010 for Possession of Firearm, Carrying a Concealed Weapon by a Convicted Felon, Resisting an Officer, Distribution/Possession Schedule 1, and Possession of Marijuana. Lastrapes is due to be released from Louisiana State Penitentiary on April 23, 2017.

Chief Donald D. Dixon says he is very proud of all of the police officers that work this case. “Five years ago Ms. Moore was murdered and my detectives never quit. They stayed on this case and because of that it’s now solved. The community, Ms. Moore’s family and most importantly Ms. Moore deserves justice and these detectives delivered it”.

This effort is ongoing with other cold cases.