COVINGTON, La (WGNO) — The Covington Police Department released new details about a double homicide investigation in which both victims’ bodies were also burned. The St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office also released the remaining identity of one of the victims.
During an afternoon news conference on Thursday (Dec. 1) that included St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper and Covington Mayor Mark Johnson, the coroner released the identity of the second victim in the case, Ruth Prats, who he also said was beaten to death.
Previously this week, Coroner Charles Preston identified the other victim as retired priest Otis Young. Preston said Young was beaten and stabbed.
Both victims’ bodies were discovered behind Dependable Glass Works on E. Gibson Street when the business opened Monday morning. Both bodies were burned beyond recognition, but police already had an idea on where to begin their investigation.
During Thursdays news conference, Lt. Kevin Collins with the Covington Police Department said that the case actually began on Sunday evening (Nov. 27) when someone called and reported a hit and run by the Bogue Falaya Towers building along the Tammany Trace. Someone reported seeing a white Honda that ran into some signs in the area then left the scene. Police responded to the scene and were given the car’s license plate number by a witness.
When police checked the license plate for the vehicle’s registration information, they found out Prats was the owner. After unsuccessfu
