July 27,2004

Death of man still a mystery
By Farren Clark Staff Writer

Investigators are trying to determine what caused the death of an 83-year-old man who was found dead in his home Sunday evening, the victim of what they are calling a “suspicious death.” According to a report from the Thibodaux Police Department, Murphy Baye, 1706 Oakley Ave., was found after police received a 911 call from one of Baye’s family members around 5:20 p.m. Sunday. Chief Craig Melancon said Monday that he believed Baye’s death was a homicide but that Baye could have had a heart attack secondary to the attack.

Baye’s body was sent to the Jefferson Parish Forensic Facility Monday to determine the exact cause of death. Melancon said the crime scene and the autopsy findings do not seem to match. “According to the autopsy findings, there was no blunt force trauma,” Melancon said. “The autopsy reports indicate the cause is inconclusive. They’re saying they don’t see any stab or gunshot wounds that would be inconsistent. He has not died of a heart attack even though he was complaining of chest pains. “This gentleman died in a manner that does not completely match between the Jefferson Parish Forensic Facility and the crime scene investigated by the Thibodaux Police Department.

There was a degree of foul play within that home with the apartment in disarray, the amount of blood on the scene and the condition and position of the body.” Melancon said investigators are still awaiting the toxicology reports. “We are awaiting the toxicology reports to show any level of medications. These reports are very important,” Melancon said. Along with the crime scene being kept intact, Melancon said, Baye’s body is being kept for an additional day to determine the cause of death. “We understand the family has lost a loved one,” Melancon said. “We’re working expeditiously to have the body returned to them as timely as possible. Because of the autopsy, we felt it important not only to hold onto the body, but also the crime scene a day longer.”