HARRISONBURG, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Another arrest has been made in Catahoula Parish in the triple homicide earlier this week.
While searching for Lee John Ponthieux, officers interviewed several family members of the victims, including Debbie Adams, daughter of Annie Adams and sister to Edris Ellard.
"We had some officers interviewing her, and they caught her in some lies," says Chief Deputy Toney Edwards, "and we went ahead and place her under arrest and brought her to Harrisonburg."
Officer Edwards says taking Adams away from the scene was also to protect her. At the time, authorities believed Ponthieux was out to kill her entire family, and possibly her. To their surprise, evidence is now pointing in Debbie Adams's direction.
"The reason we arrested her and charged her with the same thing is based on information we gathered from him and throughout the investigation - that [Ponthieux] probably done it because he felt like that's what she wanted," says Edwards.
Both Ponthieux and Adams are charged with three counts of first degree murder, and Debbie Adams faces an additional charge of obstruction of justice.
"I fixed a $10 million bond on each of the parties," says magistrate Judge Leo Boothe, "they were concluded to be flight risks, and they're being held under those bonds at this time by the Catahoula Parish Sheriff's Office.
Posted on August 21:
LAKE LARTO, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Catahoula Parish Sheriff's Office confirmed with KNOE 8 News that a combined effort with local and state police led to the apprehension of Lee John Ponthieux Jr. without incident just before midnight on Monday.
The search for the suspected killer began after three people in Lake Larto were found murdered Monday morning. The three victims have now been identified by authorities as 45-year-old John Ellard, Jr., 52-year-old Edris Ellard, and 74-year-old Annie Bell Adams. No suspected motive has been released at this hour.
Original story posted on August 20:
LAKE LARTO, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Authorities in Catahoula Parish are reporting that three people in Lake Larto have been found murdered.
The three victims have now been identified by authorities as 45-year-old John Ellard, Jr., 52-year-old Edris Ellard, and 74-year-old Annie Bell Adams. No suspected motive has been released at this hour.
Local law enforcement, along with state troopers from Troop E are currently pursing a person who has been termed a suspect in the killings. His name is Lee John Ponthieux, Jr., and he is believed to be dangerous. State police warn that he should not be approached if seen, instead, local law enforcement should be contacted as soon as possible.
Murder suspect Debbie Adams
Murder suspect Lee John Ponthieux, Jr.
