Press Releases

Body found on I-10 near parish line

Tuesday, July 20, 2004

On Tuesday July 20, 2004 at approximately 1:00am the Louisiana State Police were notified of a suspicious vehicle stopped on the shoulder of I-10 east bound at the 94-mile marker. When they arrived the body of a white male was found lying on the shoulder of the road behind the vehicle. Due to the circumstances State Police notified the Lafayette Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff's Office Deputies and Detectives responded to the scene and discovered the body of 45 year-old David Matte of Soldier Road in Acadia Parish, lying behind his truck. Evidence at the scene suggested foul play and detectives began investigating the incident as a possible homicide. An autopsy was performed and the cause of death was determined to be blunt trauma to the head.

Detectives are asking for assistance in determining Mr. Matte's whereabouts on the night of the incident Monday July 19, 2004 from around 10pm to 1:00am. The vehicle Mr. Matte was driving was a 2002 Blue Dodge Dakota truck. Also if anyone witnessed suspicious activity during this time on I-10 east bound lane near mile marker-94 or on Highway 343 (Riceland Road) I-10 overpass please contact the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office at 232- 9211 or Lafayette Crime Stoppers at 232-Tips.



Lt. Craig Stansbury
Public Information Officer
Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office
337-236-5876