Marcus Anthony Merritt, Sr.
My son, Marcus Anthony Merritt, 37, died in Leonville, Louisiana on January 4, 2013. Authorities have told me that he committed suicide at his home. However, there are unresolved inconsistencies in the circumstances surrounding his death that have left me with lingering questions. The Leonville Police Department and the St. Landry Parish Coroner’s Office have not been very forthcoming with information. I am asking for your assistance in this matter.
Marcus and his family resided in a house at 3952 Hwy 31 in Leonville. Marcus was married to Astrea Babineaux Merritt for over eight years at the time of his death. Marcus had a child from a previous relationship, and so did Astrea. Marcus and Astrea had two children together, ages nine and seven. The two younger children and Astrea’s 15-year-old son, Bryland Babineaux, resided in the home with Marcus and Astrea.
On Friday, January 4, 2013, I received a call from Astrea just before 6:20 pm. She was calling me from her job on her cell phone. She told me that she thought Marcus had just done something to himself. I could tell from her voice that something was wrong and asked her why she would think that. She told me that she and Marcus had been texting each other. All of a sudden, Marcus quit texting her back. Astrea said she called him, and he did not answer the phone. Astrea told me that she was leaving work at that moment to go to the house. She had also called her parents to ask them to go to the house, knock on the door, and see if he would answer.
I put Astrea on hold and attempted to call Marcus myself. He did not answer. I remained on the phone with Astrea as she drove home. She told me that Marcus told her he knew that he had hurt her. Curiously, I never heard any extraneous noises, driving noises, during Astrea’s trip. It took her about 15 minutes to get home. Once Astrea was at the house, I did not hear her talking to her parents. I still did not hear any extraneous noises: her car door, keys jingling, house doors opening. I heard nothing until Astrea said, “They’re still not coming out,” referring to her parents who had gone inside the house to check on Marcus.
Astrea’s parents evidently discovered Marcus’ body in his bedroom, dead on the floor next to his bed. I’m supposing they exited the house. I heard Astrea say, “He did!” and she began to cry. Astrea’s mother then came on the phone and said, “Royce, I’m sorry.”
I drove to Leonville the next day, Saturday, January 5th. I went to Astrea’s parents’ house. I spoke with Astrea. However, her story changed. She told me that she and Marcus had been talking on the phone, not texting, and that she heard a loud noise after which Marcus said, “Uh.” She got no response from him after that.
Astrea’s father told me that Marcus had been reading a Bible before he took his life. I asked Astrea’s mother if the scene had been horrible. She said no, that they found Marcus lying on the floor next to the bed. His phone was on the bed. I don’t remember where she said the gun was. I still don’t know what kind of gun was found. Astrea’s mother told me she checked Marcus for a pulse and, finding none, closed his eyes.
Bryland, Astrea’s son, told me that he and his stepfather played a game together that afternoon. His mother was going to take him to his grandparents’ house for a tutoring session. Bryland said that, when he left the house, his father was in good spirits.
I think it was Saturday night that Astrea told me that they did a good job cleaning the house. I’m pretty sure that she was referring to her father and some other people. She told me that they burned the mattress. I asked her why, and she said it had blood on it.
On Monday, January 6th, Astrea, her mother, my cousin, and I went to Ford and Joseph Funeral Home in Opelousas to take a set of clothes for Marcus. The funeral director, Mr. Ford, is also the pastor who presided over Marcus’ funeral the following Saturday. Pastor Ford led us to a preparation room where Marcus’ body was on a steel gurney. His body was covered by a sheet from the neck down. It seemed to me that his hair was a little longer than he normally wore it. However, I did not see any wounds to his head.
About a week after the funeral, I learned from Marcus’ best friend in Houston, Steve Sanchez, that Marcus had been planning to come to Houston to take a construction job.
I got in touch with the chief of the Leonville Police Department, Joseph Noel. I asked him if I could obtain a copy of the police report. He told me I would have to get it from Astrea.
Weeks later, I spoke by phone with Pastor Ford. He told me that his body car attendants collected Marcus’ body from his house, the scene of his death. I told Pastor Ford that I did not even know where my son had been shot. He told me that he saw no evidence of a gunshot wound. I was astounded to the point that I got a friend of mine on the phone in a three-way conversation with Pastor Ford. My friend asked the pastor if any reconstruction had to be done on Marcus to prep him for the funeral, and he said no.
Later still, I spoke with a funeral home employee named Daphne. She had a copy of the death certificate. She said it listed the time of death as 6:51pm. This seemed odd in light of the timing of Astrea’s phone call to me.
The St. Landry Parish Coroner, Dr. Russell Pavich, returned my calls on February 4th. He told me that Marcus died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. I asked him about the autopsy, and he said no autopsy had been performed. He said his investigator had gone to the scene and reported to him that Marcus shot himself in the head. I told Dr. Pavich that I had seen my son’s body at the funeral home before it was prepped for the funeral and that I did not see any wounds. The doctor told me that, if the muzzle of the gun is pressed to the head, a wound may not be all that evident.
Dr. Pavich said the history was taken from the spouse and the spouse’s father, the spouse being a nurse who left work to check on her husband because of what she heard over the phone. Astrea is not a nurse. To my knowledge, she is a mental health tech. And her original story to me was that Marcus had been texting her, not talking to her on the phone.
Dr. Pavich told me that he did not see Marcus’ body. I asked him for his investigator’s name. He did not give it to me but said either he or his investigator would get back with me. To date, neither of them has called me.
About a month after I spoke with Dr. Pavich, I remembered that someone must have cut Marcus’ hair before the funeral. I found out that a barber in Louisiana named Jody is the barber who has been cutting Marcus’ hair for ten years. He went to the funeral home to give Marcus a haircut. I called him. Jody told me he did not see any evidence of a gunshot wound, either. Jody said he went to someone at the funeral home to ask them what happened to Marcus, and he was told that Marcus had shot himself in the head. Jody told me, “I don’t know what’s going on.” Jody’s phone number is 337-678-1800.
I know that Marcus was arrested by the Leonville police twice last year. They arrested him in August for simple battery involving domestic violence. In December, they arrested him for unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, simple criminal damage to property, aggravated battery, and sexual battery.
It is my understanding that the victim in the December incident is Astrea’s cousin, Rochelle. Astrea told me that Marcus had an affair with Rochelle. Marcus and Astrea rented the house on Highway 31. A Mr. Paige owns the house. His niece, Janet, told me that Astrea was not living in the house with Marcus at the time of his death.
Obviously, I have concerns. I called the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office for assistance. They referred me to the state police. The state police told me that they do not go behind other department’s investigations. Frankly, I feel stonewalled.
If you have questions about the circumstances surrounding my son’s death, please contact me. If you have resources to resolve these issues that I don’t have, I would appreciate a phone call: (832) 384-8502 or contact me here.
Sincerely,
Royce L. McGrady
email: justiceformarcus@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/universalcollectivenetwork/videos/1977784645881239/
I am saddened by this! I hope the LA Attorney General agrees to investigate…
Dear Royce, know that I am thinking of you often as you fight for Justice for your son Marcus. With our combined efforts on the up coming action, I pray the authorities are pressed to pursue real and true answers. Solidarity always!
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thetracyfortshow/2016/05/25/day-of-action-follow-up-show-for-marcus-merritt-sr
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thetracyfortshow/2016/05/25/day-of-action-finding-justice-for-marcus-merrritt-sr
http://tobtr.com/8827107
https://www.smore.com/mhsz4-call-to-action
On your birthday!!!! Help us Father, God ☝☝☝
Marc,
Your birthday is this month:-( so are your sons’ Lord, build a fence ;-(
Lord, Jesus I am holding onto Your Hands and my faith. I won’t give in?????
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http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/investigate-the-murder-of-marcus-anthony-merritt-sr
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“First & far most my love,I must state yet again,even though I have uttered simularies in words as such unto 2 you before! “May the creator of this ole universe & beyond,”God Almighty himself continue 2 give you strength,vision,peace coupled with “Divine comforts in all areas there’s a void pertaining 2 your well-being as a whole!!!”I Jeffery Meredith sr.decree this request through my own personal connection 2 the “Holy Trinity”!!! 2 add may this lil brother whom I knew from a child rest in the arms of our maker 2 we all see him again!”Now 2 some, all of the above statments may be considered closing plots due 2 the English dialog, but “No,”No baby this thing is far from closure, & besides I refuse 2 give the enemy(satan)any glory towards introduction or otherwise.”Now Royce After reading this post in it’s entirety, it’s evident beyond reasoning that this issue was handled incorrectly,& it’s my personal belief and opinion!!! “In which I’m totally entitled 2,*there’s “foulness that dwells between the lines.”I’ll be in touch *Much love 2 you & your’s..
Thank you Jeff, I agree there is foulness!!!! I love you, thank you for your help & prayers.
I love & miss you <3 🙁
Tears ;-( ;-(
Marc, I miss you so much 🙁 I love you
I love & miss you!!!!! 🙁
Thank you Franny <3
I just found out it was a 32 caliber Model 733 revolver. Marcus did not own this gun. Why no serial number.. Where is this weapon now and who owned it??
Royce,
I just started looking into your son Marcus\’s case. I can\’t begin to tell you how sorry I am… The Baton Rouge, F.B.I. should be all over this.. No Autopsy, No Cell phone records, No prints, No toxicology, Nothing!!!!! What cell tower was Marcus\’s phone and his spouse cell phone pinging from?
This case was botched in my opinion, I have major issues with the disturbing ignorance and total disrespect to you and your son to follow standard procedure by The Chief of Police, Garbage Police work in my opinion!!! Lack of critical documentation.
In my opinion this is not suicide.. In my opinion its a murder. Nothing matches, not one thing because its all allegation speculation hear say. when was local P.D. dispatched? The timing alone is way off! Approximately 6:20 your called, it took 15 minutes to get to the house 6:35 she arrives, remember she states to you that her parents were called (first) to meet her at the house.
So she called them before you! Why would she not call the Police first, from moment one how can she even talk to you if a gun just discharged in her ear??? She also states she hears the gun discharge and she hears uh from Marcus No way death rattle gurgle!!
Because no Autopsy was done you have no definitive cause of death after all it was a 22 shot gun not hand gun . What was the exact distance or proximity of the gun in relation to his location? Did he use his hand or foot to pull the trigger? Was he wearing socks and shoes? Were his hands bagged on scene? Was a gun shot residue test even done?
Where is her time stamp from work? Where are the cell phone records from her and her family and your son ? Time of death is 6:51 pm. on Death Certificate Really!! Someone just blew it right there! What was Marcus\’s core body temp recorded on scene? The local P.D. hurried The Sheriff off the Scene..
The Chief was handling this and sent your son 0ff to the funeral home!!! This so called Medical Examiner never did his job. Really and the Coroner himself Signed off on this!
How could the Coroners Investigators do any investigation when the Crime Scene is corrupted by her and family and local PD????? The guns been handled, by WHO? Where is the gun located at time of alleged suicide ? Was it bagged and processed?? Where the spent casing??? Oh let me guess they never processed the gun to see who\’s prints were on it! Where is his cell phone????? Did anyone check her car or parents car a simple touch of the hoods to see if they were hot or cold ? NO !!! These are my opinions and only my opinions.. Hire Dr. Baden Or Cyril W. to do a Completely Objective Forensic Autopsy… The State Should foot the bill!!
My Deepest Sympathy
I love u Marc & miss u terribly
My dear BFF friend Royce….Reading this brings tears to my eyes…God knows the truth and it might take some time in finding the answers…but the truth will come out…It’s so sad that you can’ t sit with your daughter n law and get answers to bring comfort to you….stay strong in your search and know “I Love You” and God will make a way♥
Thank you Pam. Yes all of this is sad but, I know in time God will reveal all I want to know. I love you
Marcus, I will never stop loving you, Auntie
I love you Marc ♡♡♡♡♡
I love you!!!!!!♡♥☆★
🙁 🙁 is how I feel right now
Marc, I talked to your Auntie earlier & told her our emotions run the gamut. One minute you can smile & the next you’re in tears & then you’re very angry. Although everybody close to me shares those feelings, Im alone in my grief for you because, only your Daddy would know how I feel & he’s there with you 🙁 it gets to be a lonely place at times. Im very thankful for all who love us & are continuously praying for us t7& the answers we seek. I know in Gods ‘ timing all will be revealed & it’s what keeps me going. I must keep repeating to , ” Supposedly he did this to himself” then I ask ok why has the entire house of cards fallen down if he did smh. Hmmmm I already know the answer to that. I gave birth to you & nobody can tell me that you weren’t strong enough to ask for help if you felt desperate . Whatever feelings you had growing up without your Daddy, was in itself enough for you to never leave your kids without you. We all know that. I love you Marc & nope I won’t rest… Momma
Ms. Blanks, thank you for treating Marc like your own son. You’re right, he loved his family & his kids very much. Yes please keep me in your prayers as I continue trying to determine what happened to him. I can also still see his smile & miss it more than you know… Royce
I met Marcus years ago working off and on in Construction…..He called me Ms.C, I took him under my wings as a son….He loved his family and talked about them all the time. He really really loved his kids……I would have been Blessed to have a hard working, kind and gentle man like Marcus as my son…I could still see his smile..Everyone loved him at work. Ms. Royce, I will keep you in my prayers and hoping someday soon you’ll get answers to you questions and have Peace and Closure.
Marc, i love you & miss you so very much. I never imagined going the rest of my life without seeing you. When I think of that sometimes I could just lay down & wish Id never wake up. Don’t fret because that’s not happening . If it’s the last task on this Earth I do, I’ll find out what happened to my beautiful son… Momma
Marcus , its hard waiting for answers, but we are not giving up. We are holding on and I want you too also. Love You Auntie
It’s very hard Yuvonne but, you’re right we’re not giving up!!!!!!! I love you
Missing you daily nd loving you always… Momma
I love you Marc!!!!!!! :'( :'( & I miss you terribly… Momma
Just talked to Derrick, he misses you!!!!! 🙁 talked to Patty earlier, she still doesn’t believe any of this. I told her none of us do. I love you, Marc
Getting closer thank you Jesus
Thank you very much Ms. Hopkins
My prayers are with you Ms. McGrady. I pray that you get the answers you deserve.
I DIDN’T KNOW THIS YOUNG MAN, BUT I AM A MOTHER OF ONE SON, IF SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENED TO HIM, I WOULD BE DEVASTATED JUST LIKE MS ROYCE. THIS STORY IS TOUCHING AND MY PRAYERS ARE WITH THE FAMILY.
LaTonya, thank you for your comment. Marc was my only son & this has been very devastating & sad. Please pray for my family & me as we continue our search for answers
Mrs. Royce, sorry for your loss. I have known Marcus for several years and he didn’t bother anyone. This is hard to believe and I pray that you find answers soon. Stay strong and trust in God. He will make a way. My prayers are with you and the family. Be blessed.
LaKeitha, thank you for your comment. You’re right Marc wouldn’t hurt anybody & I want to know who if not himself hurt him. Please continue praying for my family & me
Dear Royce, I am so sorry you are still hurting. Someone can ease your pain but refuses to do so. That is wrong. I do understand your anger and hurt. Whoever knows what happened to Marcus can tell someone, anyone. It’s not ok right now and it will never be alright until this mess is over with. I’ve heard it said before, “When it’s not ok, it’s not over yet.” This case is far from over and I know the powerful strength this has given you to go until the end. Never think that no one cares what happened to Marc because many of your friends and relatives love and care about you and want you to have the answers too. I am still praying for you everyday and for your Grand-Children too. I pray that God puts a conviction on the heart or hearts of the person or persons who know the answers to come forward and just tell the truth. ~Leola~
Thank you Leola & you’re right its not fair. Its very hard & anger doesn’t begin to describe what I feel but, God has me & His hands will reveal All!!!!!!!! People can’t run nor hide the truth from Him. Keep praying. I love you
I love nd miss u Marc <3 <3 <3 <3 :'( :'( :'(
Marcus, your mother, momma bear, is fighting the war for you. She is not alone. Love You Auntie
I sure am & won’t stop!!!!!!!! I love you both
I won’t back down!!!!!! I love you Marc
Marc, I look at your pictures & touch your face :'( no parent should have to go through this pain. I think about when I last saw yo, you looked so peaceful it broke my heart. I miss you terribly & wonder sometimes will I make it. With Gods’ help I know I will, its just hard. I love you
My first born baby i miss you
Another Friday has come & i miss you more than there are stars in the sky
You are loved & missed more than anyone can know :'( :'(
I miss you!!!!!
Happy Birthday Marc!!!!!!! I love you, Momma
Marc, continue talking to Jesus & letting Him know we’re relying & trusting Him to reveal all. I love you, Momma
We love you Marc
I won’t rest nor stop until I find out what happened to my son!!!!!!!!!! Any parent who loves their child would do the same