Another Arrest Made in Louisiana in January 31 Westlake Homicide Case, Authorities Still Seeking At Least One More

Lake Charles, Louisiana – Authorities have made another arrest in the Westlake homicide case in Louisiana on January 31 and are still seeking at least one more.

On May 26, 2023, the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office (CPSO) reported that deputies were summoned to a home off Westwood Road in Westlake, Louisiana in connection to suspicious circumstances on Tuesday, January 31 about midnight. When deputies arrived, they discovered Damarcus A. Ardoin, 25, dead inside the home.

Detectives filed arrest warrants for Justin J. Ned, 22, of DeQuincy, Louisiana (principal to 2nd-degree murder), Autoria “Tori” Lachney, 22, of Lake Charles, Louisiana (2nd-degree murder), and Kevin E. Williams, Jr., 23, of Eunice, Louisiana (2nd-degree murder). On February 6, Lachney and Williams were arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

In March, investigators filed a $250, 000 warrant for the arrest of William D. Dennis, 24, of Lake Charles, Louisiana which was signed by Judge Kendrick Guidry.

Dennis was brought from the Lowndes County Jail in Valdosta, Georgia, and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center on his warrant on May 25.
Authorities indicated that Ned continues to elude capture, and detectives have been unable to track him down.

Anybody with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the CPSO at 337-491-3605. CPSO said that anyone discovered assisting or harboring Ned will face criminal charges.

Detective Barrett Savoie of the CPSO is the case’s principal investigator.

An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.