Authorities Asking For Help in Solving 1980 Louisiana Cold Case Homicide of 15-Year-Old in Vernon Parish

Vernon Parish, Louisiana – On April 18, 2023, the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office announced that Sheriff Craft wants to remind and make the public aware of a cold case homicide investigation in hopes that these efforts will result in the arrest and prosecution of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Mary Darlene Howard that occurred on April 15, 1980.

On April 16, 1980, 15-year-old Mary Darlene Howard was reported missing from Mike’s Trailer Park, which was located in the Sandy Hill / Bundick’s Road area, in  Leesville, Louisiana in Vernon Parish.

According to authorities, Mary was last seen by her mother on April 15, 1980, at approximately 10:00 a.m. at their residence. On April 27, 1980, Mary’s body was located in a wooded area on West Boundary Road in the Sandy Hill area.

Authorities are asking that anyone with any information regarding the death of Mary Darlene Howard should contact Detective Rhonda Jordan or Detective Lando Sullivan at 337-238-7248.