Arrests made on Ashley Beauclair murder

MARKSVILLE, La. ( WNTZ ) — Authorities have arrested four individuals in connection with the death of Ashley Beauclair, whose body was found last October in a wooded area near Marksville.

On Sunday, October 22, 2023, at approximately 6:10 p.m., the Avoyelles 911 Communication Center received a report of a body found in the Blue Town Community north of Marksville. Deputies from the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office (APSO) discovered the body of an unidentified female in a wooded area near a field.

APSO detectives, with assistance from the LSU Forensic Anthropology and Computer Enhancement Services (FACES) Laboratory and the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab, later identified the victim as 38-year-old Ashley Beauclair of Marksville.

Following an extensive investigation, APSO identified several suspects involved in Beauclair’s death. On June 18, 2024, three individuals were arrested:

• Sonny Ray Dauzat, 25, of Effie, charged with second-degree murder, criminal conspiracy, and obstruction of justice. His bond is set at $1.1 million.
• Keion Joseph Roy, 29, of Moreauville, charged with criminal conspiracy and obstruction of justice. His bond is set at $200,000.
• Sophie Mae Badeaux, 24, of Marksville, charged with criminal conspiracy and obstruction of justice. Her bond is set at $200,000.

On June 20, 2024, APSO arrested a fourth suspect:

• Morgan Lin Heims, 20, of Branson, Missouri, charged with criminal conspiracy and obstruction of justice. Her bond is set at $200,000.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities urge anyone with information to come forward.

Sheriff David L. Dauzat would like to thank the many people who provided information to APSO during the investigation and the professionals who worked diligently to find out what happened to Ashley and to hold those responsible for her murder accountable.  We are committed to doing our best to serve and protect the People of Avoyelles, and to make Avoyelles a safer and better place to live, work and raise a family.

Note: All persons named or shown in photographs and/or videos as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not yet been convicted of that criminal offense, and all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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