Natchitoches, LA (5/30/2024) — Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives are appealing to the community for assistance as they continue to investigate a nearly six-year-old cold case involving a double homicide in the Payne Sub-Division.
The case, which remains unsolved, resulted in the tragic deaths of two local men, Cordarious Cortez Smith and Rodney D. Richards.
On August 8, 2018, at 1:42 AM, the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office (NPSO) received multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire in the 200 block of Michelle Drive, situated off La. Hwy 6 East in the Grand Ecore area of Natchitoches. Responding deputies discovered a 2000 Nissan passenger car crashed into a tree in a ditch.
Inside the vehicle were Smith, 24, of Prather Street, and Richards, 24, of Brewton Street, both suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. They were pronounced dead at the scene by the Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office.
The investigation revealed that both men had been leaving a music studio when they were attacked. Despite extensive efforts by retired Sheriff Victor Jones, eight investigators, and six patrol deputies, who processed the crime scene with special lighting equipment, the initial stages of the investigation yielded limited information.
Sheriff Stuart Wright emphasized the ongoing commitment to solving the case, stating, “We don’t close open criminal cases. We continue to investigate them and hopefully gather enough evidence to identify, locate, and arrest individuals for senseless crimes committed in Natchitoches Parish.”
KTAL’s Delano Henry interviewed officials and family members, highlighting the continued uncertainty surrounding who was responsible for the August 2018 crime. The full interview is available on YouTube.
As detectives continue to pursue leads, they urge anyone with information to come forward. The NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau can be reached at 318-357-7830. Additionally, tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers of Natchitoches at 318-238-2388, where callers may remain anonymous and potentially receive a reward.
For the families of Cordarious Cortez Smith and Rodney D. Richards, the search for answers remains a poignant reminder of their loss. The NPSO remains steadfast in their resolve to bring justice to the victims and their loved ones.
