LEONARD GRAY

HAHNVILLE – A LaPlace man faces a first-degree murder charge in the case of Felicia S. Tumbar, found dead in her apartment May 22, apparently strangled. Ahron L. Grimes, 25, of 8776 Sunnyside Drive in LaPlace, was released from East Jefferson Medical Center Tuesday after recovering from his own apparent suicide attempt following the death of Tumbar. Capt. Patrick Yoes said Tumbar was reported missing by family members and had not reported to work for two days. She had last been seen by her sister and stepfather at their New Sarpy residence on May 22. With their help, entry was made into Tumbar’s apartment in the Hahnville public housing development. Her body was found in the bedroom, apparently choked by an alarm clock electrical cord, no longer around her neck. Neighbors told investigators Grimes had been seen at the apartment on the night of May 22. He attempted suicide by drinking acid on May 23 and was hospitalized by his wife. “I’d call him a prime suspect,” Sheriff Greg C. Champagne said of Grimes at the time, and added Grimes had an arrest history of alleged violence against women. A brief interview was conducted by investigators at the hospital, and a warrant was issued for Grimes on June 14, who was arrested at the hospital as he was released, Yoes added. No bond had been set as of Friday evening.