2 Bodies Found 'Burned Beyond Recognition' In Louisiana; 1 Arrested

A man has been arrested in Louisiana in connection with the two severely burned bodies that were found in downtown Covington.

The bodies were discovered in the backyard of a glass store on E. Gibson Street at around 7 a.m. Monday. The Covington Police Department said the victims were burned "beyond recognition," WBRZ reported.

Hours after the bodies were found, police arrested 49-year-old Antonio Donde Tyson and booked him on two counts each of first-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping and obstruction of justice.

Tyson was also charged with resisting an officer and illegal possession of stolen things. The case was being investigated as a double homicide, police reportedly confirmed.

St. Tammany Parish Coroner's Office was assisting the authorities in determining the cause of death as well as the identities of the two deceased victims.

However, several witnesses pointed out that one of the burned bodies could be of a leading member of the North Shore community, according to WGNO.

"Evidently, there was a fire involving our two victims," Sgt. Edwin Masters said, as per FOX 8. "There is evidence on scene that suggests it was a homicide... but due to it being in the early stages of the investigation we're limited on the information we can release in regards to that."

Responding to the incident, a nearby business owner expressed shock and said it was very unusual for the area.

"My first reaction was that's not possible, not in Covington," business owner Susan White said, according to WGNO. "I mean, this is just such a sleepy town where everybody knows everyone, and it just doesn't even compute."

Covington Mayor Mark Johnson said officials were interrogating two people of interest in the matter. While police said they were not suspects, they believed they may information useful to the investigation.

"I've been on the crime scene, the ATF, Sheriff deputies, the coroner... are all involved," Johnson said, as per KSLA News 12. "They do have two people of interest and will leave it at that and residents can rest assured we will take care of this."

The bodies were found at a time when authorities were also looking for retired Rev. Otis Young of St. Peter Parish Roman Catholic Church and his assistant Ruth Prats who have been missing since Sunday night, WWL-TV reported.

"Our hearts have been shattered by this unfathomable crime. We stand behind the Covington Police Department and St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office as they investigate this heinous action," St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper said in a statement, according to the outlet.