OPELOUAS, La. — Phillip Dewoody has been transferred to the St. Landry Parish Correctional center on Thursday and booked with first degree murder and first degree rape.
In February, Louisiana State Police told KATC that Dewoody, 53, of Opelousas was arrested in connection with the disappearance of Joyce Thomas of Ville Platte.
LSP have confirmed that they have charged Dewoody with first degree murder.
The St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office state that they have charged Dewoody with first degree rape. They add that Dewoody has been transferred to SLPCC for booking and will remain there with no bond.
Dewoody had been held at Elayn Hunt Correctional Center since March.
A court date for Dewoody has not yet been set.
Thomas went missing on February 26. Law enforcement agencies, including the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office and Louisiana State Police, searched for Joyce for days after she went missing.
The search ultimately came to a tragic end on February 29, when Thomas' body was found in an area along the I-49 frontage road between Sunset and Opelousas.
Dewoody was also booked in March with second-degree kidnapping charges of an Opelousas woman who helped police find the body of Thomas.
------------------------------------------------------------
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
To reach the newsroom or report a typo/correction, click HERE.
Download our free app for Apple,Android, Roku and Amazon devices.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Evening News Headlines, Latest COVID-19 Headlines, Morning News Headlines, Special Offers
