St. Tammany Coroner Dr. Charles Preston positively identified one of the victims of a double murder that occurred in Covington.
After autopsies were completed, Preston was able to use medical records to positively identify one victim as 71 YO Otis Young of Covington.
Preston has ruled the cause of death was sharp- and blunt-force trauma, and manner of death is homicide.
The second victim could not be identified through autopsy, but DNA samples are being processed at the Coroner’s Office in-house DNA lab. Preston expects to have a conclusive match by the end of the week.
Once the identity of the second victim has been positively established, Preston will hold a joint press conference with the Covington Police Department.
Preston said he asks the public to keep the victims and their loved ones in prayer, to give them privacy, and to avoid speculation or spreading of rumors on social media.
The double homicide, discovered Monday in the 500 block of East Gibson Street, occurred just hours after Young and longtime St. Peter Catholic Church administrator Ruth Prats were reported missing.
A prayer vigil was held for them at the church.
Covington police have arrested Antonio Donde Tyson in connection with the murders. Covington police confirmed that Tyson was released from state prison on forcible rape and home invasion charges in August of this year. He was sentenced to 40 years in 1993 and served 31 years of that sentence.
