By MONIQUE ROTH
L’Observateur

METAIRIE – The Bailey family of Reserve has been unrelenting in their efforts to find their son’s killer, and their efforts, combined with the help of the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office and Crimestoppers, have finally paid off.  

Antoine Fourcha, 24, of East 13th Street in Reserve was arrested Tuesday, Jan. 21 in connection with the April 2013 murder of Donovan Bailey.

Bailey was shot in the chest while driving down East 13th Street. There were two other passengers in the vehicle. No one else was injured.

The two friends with Bailey told investigators they had just dropped off some friends at the rear of East 13th Street and that their van was fired upon while they were leaving the area. One of the friends took control of the vehicle and drove to the hospital.

Bailey’s parents kept their son’s case in the spotlight by offering a reward for information and continuously posting signs in the community.

Detectives received information from Crimestoppers regarding the homicide, and over the course of the investigation that information was corroborated through interviews.

Fourcha was arrested Tuesday morning at his residence and was booked with first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder. He is being held without bond for the murder.

A press conference was held Wednesday at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Department East Bank Office in Metairie.

Bailey’s father, mother and older brother were all in attendance, as well as St. John Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre and several parish detectives and investigators.

Tregre spoke about the case and the recent arrest, and said there may be further arrests in the future. Tregre also praised the Bailey family for their relentless work.

“Thank you for your patience and confidence in us,” Tregre told the Bailey family.

Crimestoppers Presi dent Darlene Cusanza said the Bailey family has been incredible to work with and that they never stopped seeking justice for their son.

Herman Bailey, Donovan’s father, thanked the sheriff and officers that kept his family informed about the case.

“My wife could barely stand up because she knew they were coming with good news,” Bailey said about the visit that the family had this week from an investigator.  

“Detectives and the sheriff are men of their word,” said Bailey. “I can’t thank y’all enough.”