St. Tammany Parish Coroner Dr. Charles Preston today confirmed that the other body found with the body of retired pastor Fr. Otis Young is that of Ruth Prats, a pastoral associate from St. Peter Roman Catholic Church in Covington.
"She was identified through DNA samples," said Dr. Preston. "We collected a reference sample from her daughter."
The cause of death was blunt trauma.
Related
Covington Police arrested one suspect, 49-year-old Antonio Donde Tyson, and booked him with two counts of first degree murder and other charges related to the crime.
Related
Police would not speculate as to motive, but said video surveillance and other evidence links Tyson to the crime.
According to police, Tyson was seen on surveillance video entering Prats' house Sunday, holding a knife, and later left the residence in her SUV. That vehicle was later seen in the area where Youngs' and Prats' bodies' were discovered in downtown Covington the following morning.
Police say officers found Tyson and a female acquaintance in Prats' vehicle around 3:45 a.m. Monday. Authorities say they do not believe the acquaintance was involved in the killings.
Authorities said there is no evidence Tyson had any prior relationship with either Young or Prats, and the crime appears to be random.
"There are no words to describe the magnitude of this loss for our community," said St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper, a parishioner at St. Peter. "They were longtime friends who will be missed dearly."
Said Cooper, "In this time of tremendous grief, I encourage our citizens to look to the faith that Fr. Otis helped build in Covington and his church parish. While we endure this incredibly challenging time, please join me in lifting up the family, friends and loved ones of Fr. Otis Young and Ruth Prats in prayer."
