Mickey Shunick news conference; suspect not cooperating with police

Posted: Jul 6, 2012 1:40 PM by Tonya LaCoste
Updated: Jul 6, 2012 2:01 PM

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During a news conference, Lafayette Police Chief Jim Craft said evidence shows Brandon Scott Lavergne's truck was in the Whiskey Bay area where Mickey Shunick's bicycle was found on May 26. Lavergne, a registered sex offender, is charged with first degree murder and aggravated kidnapping. Aggravated kidnapping constitutes a charge of first degree murder, according to Craft. State Police pulled over Lavergne on July 5th near I-49 and I-10, and he was arrested on an unrelated warrant related to sex offender registration. Lavergne requested an attorney and has since refused to cooperate with the police investigation.

On June 14, police were tipped off about a white truck possibly involved in Mickey Shunick's disappearance. Police say Lavergne's truck, a white Chevy pickup truck, was found burned in San Jacinto County, TX. It was reported stolen in Montgomery County, TX, but the chief wouldn't say whether Lavergne was the person who reported it stolen. Since early in the investigation, detectives have been looking for a person of interest and a white pickup seen on video surveillance in the same area where Shunick was last seen on her bicycle. The truck was seen traveling directly behind her and Lavergne was identified as the driver, said Craft. When Lavergne was arrested yesterday, he was in a new, white Chevy pickup truck. "We continue today with our efforts to locate and bring Mickey home," he said.

Lavergne has been offshore for the last two weeks. Police believe Mickey was taken between St. Mary Street and the Blackham Coliseum, and Lavergne may have been riding around, looking for someone to victimize that night. Police wouldn't indicate if there were signs of a struggle or why they believe Mickey is dead. There's still no word on Mickey's location, and there is no apparent relationship between Lavergne and Mickey. Evidence indicates her bike was hit from behind by a vehicle.

Agencies that have helped in the investigation include sheriff's offices in Lafayette, St. Martin, St. Landry, Iberia, Acadia, East Baton Rouge and Iberville Parishes. Also assisting: UL Lafayette Police, Louisiana State Police, Patterson Polie, the U.S. Marshal's Service, Lafayette City Marshal and the FBI. Chief Craft gave special thanks to C & C Technologies for its work in searching waters and Holbrook Media.