By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – St. John the Baptist Parish authorities are asking for the public’s help in collecting information regarding a homicide investigation, where a Montz man was found dead in a waterway under Interstate 55 back in March.

St. John investigators recovered the body of Ron Jefferson, 32, from the waterway below an elevated portion of I-55 about two miles north of the Ruddock exit on Mach 18 after a boater in the area called 911. Capt. Dane Clement, public information officer for the Sheriff’s Office, said Jefferson’s family filed a missing person’s report with the St. Charles Sheriff’s Office on March 7.

Although the investigation has continued since the discovery, Clement said detectives are asking for further assistance from anyone in the public who may have information regarding the case.

He said the cause of death remains uncertain, but investigators believe Jefferson’s death was a homicide.

Clement said Jefferson was last seen March 6 driving a maroon 2008 Ford F-150 King Ranch pickup truck, license plate X544051, in the Kenner area.

Clement said Jefferson once lived in Kenner and investigators believe he may have been visiting friends there.

Anyone with information regarding the circumstances or events leading to the homicide of Jefferson should call St. John Detective Jerry Fountain at 985-359-8769 or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.