On April 20, 2023, Rochaune L. Prenell, a 42-year-old Black/African American man from Alexandria, Louisiana, was found dead in a ditch in the 6000 block of LA Highway 1 North. A Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development mowing crew discovered the body about 10:36 AM. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office investigators determined Prenell had sustained gunshot wounds, which were being treated as the cause of death pending an autopsy.

Detectives quickly developed leads and identified 32-year-old Donald Ray Sias, Jr., of Alexandria, as a person of interest; deputies executed a search warrant at a Kilkenny Lane residence and took Sias into custody without incident. He was initially arrested on contempt for non-support and for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. A second suspect, Otha Lee Tatum, Sr., was arrested April 24, 2023, on charges of obstruction of justice and criminal conspiracy.

After Tatum’s arrest, charges against Sias were upgraded and he was re-booked on counts including second-degree murder, carjacking, criminal conspiracy, and obstruction of justice. Both men were jailed at the Rapides Parish Detention Center; bond was set at $1,226,000 for Sias and $125,000 for Tatum. The Sheriff’s Office described the investigation as active and ongoing.

If anyone has information about Prenell, his movements that week, or the events on April 20, please contact investigators.