Crews search landfill for body of missing 15-year-old

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB/Gray News) – The search for the body of 15-year-old Ja’Derrius Minnieweather is underway at a landfill, according to police in Louisiana.

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The search began July 13 at the Baton Rouge North Landfill. Police believe Minnieweather’s body may have ended up in the landfill after he was killed.

The suspect, 51-year-old Maurice Parms, is not cooperating with police, investigators said. Parms was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the case.

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 Sid Edwards said. “A recovery effort of this magnitude takes time.”

Rain may also 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.

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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,” 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 said 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.

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