On Friday, May 20, Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Gina Cleveland arraigned Onterrio Deshun Brooks, and denied bond on the charge of murder. Brooks is in the Jasper County Jail.
The Jasper County Sheriff's Office says Brooks, 37, is charged with murder in the killing of his grandmother, Annette Seastrunk, 83, at her home in Browndell, north of Jasper.
Deputies arrested him Wednesday following the murder.
Investigators tell our media partner, KJAS, that Seastrunk had been stabbed and cut a number of times.
The Sheriff's Office says it responded to a call in the early morning hours Wednesday on County Road 209, known as Circle Drive, east of Highway 96 in Browndell, east of Lake Sam Rayburn . When deputies arrived at the home, they found the body of an Annette Seastrunk and say she was the victim of foul play.
Deputies received information identifying the suspect as Onterrio Deshun Brooks, 37. They say he's the grandson of the victim.
The Sheriff's Office began a manhunt and requested search dogs from the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office and aerial search assistance from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.
Just before 6 a.m., officers found Brooks walking near the intersection of FM 1007 and Highway 96 in Brookeland, north of Browndell.
According to information from our media partner, Mike Lout with KJAS, officers say Brooks was nude except for a piece of plastic that he apparently wrapped around his waist.
Deputies arrested Brooks on an unrelated, outstanding warrant and brought him to the Jasper County Correctional Facility. He's now charged with murder.
Justice of the Peace Pct. 5 Judge Brett Holloway has ordered an autopsy.
This investigation is ongoing.
Wednesday story from Mike Lout/KJAS:
A suspect is in custody following a manhunt that began early Wednesday morning in connection with a brutal murder in the north end of Jasper County.
Jasper County Sheriff Mitchell Newman said that shortly after the incident was reported, officers who arrived at the scene of a home on County Road 209, also known as Circle Drive, located east of Highway 96 in the Browndell Area, obtained information about the death of the elderly woman and also her alleged killer.
Newman said that officers immediately began to search the area for the suspect and also called on Sheriff Sam Craft of the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Department in Leesville to bring dogs and officers to the scene to assist.
Shortly after 6:00, Sheriff Newman said officers located the suspect, who has been identified as Onterrio Deshun Brooks, 37, of Brookeland, and took him into custody near the intersection of Farm to Market Road 1007 and Highway 96. Officers said that upon the time of his arrest, Brooks was nude with the exception of a piece of plastic that he had apparently wrapped around his waste.
Chief Deputy Scotty Duncan has confirmed that Brooks is the grandson of the deceased. However, they have not released the name of the victim or the alleged motive or reason behind the crime, but those close to the investigation have said that drugs might be involved.
Press release from the Jasper County Sheriff's Office:
In the early morning hours of May 18, 2022, the Jasper County Sheriff's Office responded to a call in Brookeland, Texas in reference to a brutal murder. Upon arrival to a residence on Circle Drive, officers found an elderly woman deceased, with evident foul play. After information was obtained identifying the suspect, who is the grandson of the victim, a manhunt ensued to locate him.
Search dog assistance was requested from Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office and arial search assistance was requested from Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. We always appreciate their willingness to assist.
Just before 6:00AM, officers located the suspect walking near the intersection of FM 1007 and HWY 96 in Brookeland, Texas. A black male local to Brookeland, Texas was taken into custody on an outstanding unrelated warrant without incident and transported to the Jasper County Correctional Facility. Identifying information will be released after arraignment, and additional charges are expected.
Justice of the Peace Pct. 5 Judge Brett Holloway has ordered an autopsy. This investigation is ongoing, and further information will be released as it can be made available.