A woman found dead along a wooded trail outside Mandeville has been identified as 24-year-old Lizeht Rodriguez, and the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office has ruled her death a homicide. A person walking the trails discovered her body lying among the leaves around 3 p.m. last Wednesday, between Pelican Park and the Northlake Nature Center.
The St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office confirmed the identification, stating simply that “the body was identified as Lizeht Rodriguez, 24,” according to WDSU. The coroner’s office also ruled her manner of death a homicide, the station reported. The location of the discovery, on the side of a walking trail between the park and the nature center just outside Mandeville, was detailed by NOLA.com.
Investigation Led by Major Crimes Unit
The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit is leading the investigation into Rodriguez’s death, per a report from Yahoo News. As of that report, the coroner’s office had not released a preliminary cause of death or information about any visible injuries, the outlet noted.
According to an17.com, which cited a press release from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the homicide. The same release indicated that detectives are also looking into whether there is an ongoing threat to public safety.
Sheriff’s Office Asks Residents to Stay Alert
Authorities have asked anyone who was near the Northlake Nature Center last Wednesday and saw or heard anything suspicious to come forward, the same account notes. The Sheriff’s Office is urging people with information to contact the department at (985) 898-2338.
Per the an17.com release, residents are also being encouraged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity as the Major Crimes Unit continues its work. No suspect, motive, or confirmed cause of death has been disclosed in connection with Rodriguez’s killing.
