By LEONARD GRAY

Managing Editor

LAPLACE – A passer-by along the Mississippi River levee in Reserve on Sunday morning spotted the body of Jerry Butler, 22, of LaPlace, beaten and shot to death.

Butler, 22, was not readily identifiable because he had been shot in the head. A detailed description released by the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office failed to turn up an identification.

Butler was finally identified through fingerprints.

Public Information Officer Sgt. Dane Clement said Butler’s remains were spotted at about 7 a.m. Sunday.

However, evidence at the crime scene did not indicate immediately whether Butler was killed at the scene or his remains dumped there.

Butler was found behind the levee, near the intersection of East 17th Street and River Road. His address was 468 Elm St., LaPlace.

The person who located the body located a Dupont security guard, who notified police at about 7:15 a.m.

Clement later issued a statement describing the victim as being 5-feet, 5-inches in height, 130-140 pounds and with short, braided hair.

Additionally, the victim had a 12-inch surgical scar on his stomach, and also a tattoo of “the Grim Reaper” on his upper right arm.

“We gave as many details as we could,” Clement said, but added that no one came forward to identify the victim.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call 652-6338 and speak with Detective Ricardo Colas.