Lake Charles Police Chief Don Dixon on Friday announces four arrests in connection with the Thursday homicide at 333 Mill Street. (Brad Puckett / American Press)
Calcasieu Parish Coroner Investigator Charlie Hunter leads the body that Lake Charles Police discovered at the Chateau Du Lac Thursday morning. Investigators ruled the death a homicide. (Brad Puckett / American Press)
Four arrested in connection with slaying of 83-year-old
Last Modified: Sunday, July 15, 2012 8:58 PM
By Johnathan Manning / American Press
Eighty-three-year-old Preston John LeBleu was murdered during a robbery Thursday at his Chateau du Lac apartment, local law enforcement officials said Friday.
Police arrested fellow Chateau du Lac resident John J. Landry III, 38, early Friday and charged him with first-degree murder and simple robbery, Don Dixon, Lake Charles police chief, said Friday during a news conference.
Three women, including Landry’s mother and sister, were also arrested on charges of being accessories after the fact to first-degree murder, Dixon said.
His mother, Irma Jean Landry, 54, of 717 Kingsley St., is being held on a $250,000 bond; his sister, Sara Landry Green, 35, of 1907 8th Ave., is being held on a $650,000 bond; and LaJeanna Marie Thomas, 30, of 335 S. Franklin St., is being held on a $600,000 bond, according to a news release from police spokesman Mark Kraus.
“We’ve been through this before on homicides,” Dixon said. “If you are a family member and you assist somebody who is involved in a homicide, shame on you. The law is very specific about that.”
Landry was charged with first-degree murder because LeBleu was over 65 years old and the killing happened during a robbery, Dixon said.
He is being held without bond, according to Kraus.
A Chateau du Lac employee checking in on LeBleu found him dead in his apartment Thursday morning, Dixon said.
Dixon called the crime scene in LeBleu’s apartment “horrific,” but would not give details about how the victim was killed.
Landry was arrested at Chateau du Lac in an “apartment other than his own,” Dixon said.
The seven-story, 198-unit Mill Street high rise was the site of a murder and attempted murder in 2009.
In the past year police have received more than 200 calls for service from the apartment building, including false alarms, thefts, fights and suicide attempts, according to records provided by the Lake Charles Police Department at the American Press’ request. Thirteen criminal charges were filed, including aggravated battery in November 2011.
“Anytime that you have that many people living in one building, anytime you have a crime, obviously there’s some concern,” Dixon said. “If I was a resident there, they do have security cameras, they do have security. I saw the paper today where some people expressed concern, some people didn’t. All I can tell you is that we solved both homicides there.”
Posted By: Doug On: 7/14/2012
Title: Sensationalism?
Does the public really need to see pictures of bodies being taken away, especially family and friends of the deceased? How CHEAP your sensationalism!!
Posted By: Kerri Warren On: 7/14/2012
Title: Security Needed
I lived in and around Lake Charles for over 40 years, I now live in North West Louisiana. Crime is rampant there North LC is famous for crime. These residents need 24 hr security. The elderly and all residents need protection from these "terrorist".Its an easy pick,,,the elderly and disadvantaged. Don't allow another statistic to happen. Police should monitor and patrol in and around the complex. This is so sad and disheartening. You can't even have a safe life from people like this.
Posted By: Nora Brunet On: 7/14/2012
Title: Glad you got um.
All murder is sensless but especially that of an older person. I am glad you got the people responsible for this crime. That is so important in helping the residents still there have peace of mind. God Bless you and the department for your hard work and dedication to our community.
Posted By: tim On: 7/13/2012
Title: Wow
Soo sad!
Posted By: Suzan Dubrock On: 7/13/2012
Title: Sad
Mr. LeBleu's death was sooo unnecessary!
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