An arrest has been made in the strangulation death of 75-year old Sadie Roberts-Joseph whose body was found in the trunk of her car parked about three miles from her home, Crimeonline.com reports.
Louisiana police arrested Ronn Jermaine Bell, who was a tenant on the victim’s property, according to NPR.
Police say Bell owed Roberts-Joseph back-rent, and they determined that was the motive in her killing.
Sadie Roberts-Joseph was a well-respected civil rights activist and founder of the African American History Museum in Baton Rouge.
According to the East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Office, the cause and manner of her death is attributed to homicide by traumatic asphyxia.
Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul said there is “no information to lead us to believe this is a hate crime” or that “this incident was motivated by Ms. Sadie’s activism or community efforts.”
Mayor Sharon Weston described Roberts-Joseph as one of the city’s “standout matriarchs,” and vowed to “make her death a priority.”
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