On Thursday March, 18, at approximately 5:52 pm, the St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office received a call in reference to a body floating in the Mississippi River in Hester, LA. The body was discovered by a group of juveniles while they were behind the levee. Deputies responding to the scene recovered the body which was floating in shallow water approximately four feet from the base of the levee. The body was not located in the main channel of the river, but rather in the water in between the levee and the tree line of the batture. By using personal items found on the body, detectives determined the victim to be Raemel Richardson (female, DOB 9/27/1989). Detectives contacted the Baton Rouge Police Department and learned Ms. Richardson had been reported missing on March 18 at approximately 3:00 pm. Through their investigation, the Baton Rouge Police Department had taken into custody the boyfriend of Ms. Richardson: Jonathan Bryant (DOB 8/7/1985). After notifying the discovery of Ms. Richardson’s body, the Baton Rouge Police Department formally charged Jonathan Bryant with Second Degree Murder. Detectives believe Ms. Richardson was murdered outside of St. James Parish and her body was disposed of by Jonathan Bryant in Hester, LA. The vehicle which is believed to be used is owned by Jonathan Bryant and was discovered burned in Baker, LA. This case is still under investigation and anyone who may have information should contact the St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office at 225-562-2200 or the Baton Rouge Police Department at 225-389-4869.

Released by: Sheriff Willy J. Martin, Jr.