Human remains found in a rural area of Evangeline Parish, Louisiana, in 2018 have been identified as that of Erica Nicole Hunt, a woman from Opelousas who was reported missing in 2016, the Louisiana Police Department announced last week.
The skeletal remains were found at the time during a search for a missing child, but were only identified two years later by the efforts of the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab, the LSU Forensic Anthropology and Computer Enhancement Services (FACES) Laboratory and the DNA Doe. Project, Thomas Gossen, police spokesman, Troop I of Louisiana, said in the release.
On February 5, 2021, police investigators announced that they could positively confirm a court match with Erica Hunt.
Louisiana police are investigating Erica’s death as a homicide with the help of the Sheriff’s Office in Evangeline and the Opelousas Police Station.
The 20-year-old mother of the then 2-year-old Breionna disappeared on the weekend of July 4, 2016. A Fourth of July meeting with her family in Opelousas on July 3 was the last time she was seen by her family.
Erica’s mother and sister spoke to Dateline in the summer of 2020.
“It was just a great day for our family,” Erica’s sister, Shantashia Isaac, told Dateline. “Everyone was just hanging out and having a good time.”
Shantashia said Erica seemed to be enjoying herself as she made plans for her upcoming 21st birthday and was moving into a new home.
Erica’s mother, Shannon Isaac, told Dateline she remembers her daughter talking about her plans to go to Lake Charles the next day with a friend who also had a child. But these plans never happened.
In 2020, Chief McClelland told Dateline there are no suspects in Erica’s disappearance. But after the discovery and identification of her remains, Erica’s death is investigated as a murder and the public is asked to contact authorities with information that may be helpful in the case.
In a statement shared on the Facebook page ‘Bring Erica Hunt Home’, the family said: ‘To those of you who liked and shared. We learned today that the remains of Erica Nicole Hunt have been found. Thank you to everyone for the concern, sharing and prayers. ”
Anyone with information about Erica’s case, ask for St. Landry Crime Stoppers at 948-8477 (TIPS), online at stlandrycrimestoppers.com, or via Facebook by leaving a WEBTIP. Tips can also be sent via SMS by sending TIPS625 and the tip to CRIMES (274637).
The Louisiana State Police online reporting system is also available by visiting www.lsp.org and clicking the Suspicious Activity link.
