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Terryon Ishmael Thomas, famously known as Mr. Prada was arrested in Dallas, Texas in connection to the death of a 69 year old therapist and life coach in Baton Rouge. District Attorney Hillar Moore said the charge changed from second-degree murder to first-degree murder because of the victim’s age. During the investigation, Thomas was identified as a person of interest in connection to the death of local therapist William Abraham.
Thomas was originally charged with second-degree murder. However, Louisiana law allows the more serious first-degree murder charge when “the offender has the specific intent to kill or to inflict great bodily harm upon a victim who is under the age of twelve or sixty-five years of age or older.” The upgraded charge makes the case eligible for the death penalty upon conviction if prosecutors ultimately decide they will pursue that route.
The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Department says Dr. Abraham was last seen alive entering Thomas’ apartment around 11 a.m. Saturday, September 28, on surveillance video. “We have witnesses at the apartment complex that saw the suspect dragging what we now believe is the victim’s body,” EBRSO Chief Administrative Deputy Casey R. Hicks said.
Dr. Abraham’s body was found Sunday morning, September 29, in Tangipahoa Parish wrapped in a tarp and left alongside a highway. His car was marked as missing but was later spotted at a shopping center where the suspect was seen entering a business. Deputies believe the murder happened at an apartment complex off Essen Lane in Baton Rouge.
During the hearing, Commissioner Jermaine Guillory ordered Thomas be held without bond, set a bond hearing in the case for mid January and appointed Thomas a public defender. As of Wednesday, Thomas had not entered a plea in the case, a court clerk told USA TODAY.
