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Police say BR couple kidnapped, strangled, left in Hammond
HAMMOND - Authorities confirmed Tuesday that a Baton Rouge couple missing from their home were found strangled at a truck stop in Hammond.
Hammond Police Chief Roddy Devall said Denis and Suzanne Duplantier were kidnapped from their home Monday night at 5020 Highland Road and driven to Hammond in their vehicle. Baton Rouge Police said OnStar notified authorities about the Duplantier's vehicle, which was found at the truck stop near I-12 in Hammond. The entirety of Tuesday's press conference can be viewed by clicking here.
BRPD said they were initially called to check on the couple just after 10 p.m. Monday. When they arrived police said they found the house left open and the Duplantiers missing, along with their vehicle. Investigators said they did not find any signs of forced entry to the home.
Devall said Tuesday afternoon that investigators in Baton Rouge did find a safe open, and found things out of place inside the home.
Devall said surveillance video showed other people were involved in the abduction, and that authorities were on the lookout for a 2007 white Chevrolet pickup seen in the area.
Police say white Chevy truck has a Louisiana license plate C287533
— Brett Buffington (@BrettBuffington) October 20, 2015Trending News
Investigators said they do have a person of interest they are looking for in that truck.
A neighbor told News 2 the Duplantiers were the "absolute best neighbors." Another person who lived in the area said there was a significant number of surveillance cameras in the neighborhood which could have recorded what happened.
Friends said Denis Duplaintier went by "Bubbie" and described him as kind-hearted.
"'Bubbie' was... a great man, dedicated and would help anyone at any time. This is devastating," Michael Morain said. Morain worked with Duplantier at a construction company in the 1970's.
BRPD will be holding a press conference Wednesday at 11 a.m. in regards to the case.
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