Police Launch Massive Landfill Search as New Evidence Suggests Mu-r-dered Teen Ja’Derrius Minnieweather’s Bo-dy Ended Up in the Trash
BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – The search for the body of 15-year-old Ja’Derrius Minnieweather is underway at the Baton Rouge North Landfill, according to police.
Ja’Derrius Minnieweather(BRPD)
The search began Monday morning, July 13, after officials met last week to plan the search of a large area of the landfill where investigators believe Minnieweather’s body may have ended up after he was killed.
Suspect Maurice Parms, 51, is not cooperating with police, investigators said. Parms is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the case.
Maurice Parms(WAFB)
Search planning and conditions
Officials said they have narrowed down a location within the landfill, though it remains a large area to cover. Heat is expected to present a significant challenge for crews, who must search the site while wearing protective gear.
“It’s very difficult; it’s not going to happen overnight,” Mayor Edwards said. “A recovery effort of this magnitude takes time.”
Rain may also play a factor and pose a challenge for crews.
The FBI is partnering with the Baton Rouge Police Department in the recovery effort. Fire and other officials will also be required to search the site. Officials said the site is an active crime scene and that investigators are working to restrict airspace over it.
About the landfill
Baton Rouge Police Chief T.J. Morse said investigators believe Minnieweather’s body was likely picked up during garbage collection and taken to the North Landfill.
“For context, the North Landfill is an active municipal solid waste landfill that covers more than 400 total acres. On average, the facility receives just about 1,600 tons of solid waste each day for roughly 325 different collection vehicles,” Chief Morse said.
Background
Minnieweather was last seen in the Baton Rouge area on June 5. According to the arrest warrant, Parms is accused of stashing the teen’s body and disposing of evidence after the attack. Evidence from police suggests Minnieweather was beaten to death.
The warrant says Minnieweather had gone to see a 16-year-old friend before he disappeared. Detectives said the friend had been out getting food with Parms before returning to the area. Investigators said a disagreement then occurred between Minnieweather and Parms over the way Parms was acting toward the 16-year-old.
