Cold Case Files: Murder in the Bayou - Monster in Bayou Pigeon
Hosted by Paula Barros
Introduction
In the gripping episode titled "Murder in the Bayou: Monster in Bayou Pigeon," Paula Barros delves into one of Iberville Parish's most haunting unsolved cases. This story examines the mysterious disappearance and subsequent murder of Curtis Cochise Smith, a case that remained unresolved for over two decades until a breakthrough brought unexpected closure.
The Disappearance of Curtis Cochise Smith
On February 21, 1991, in Iberville Parish, Louisiana, 29-year-old Curtis Cochise Smith vanished under perplexing circumstances. Cochise, a devoted family man, was last seen making a routine trip to purchase diapers for his infant son, Gerald. His sister, Chrisann Smith, recounts the day:
"It was a normal day. I was at home. Cochise was living with me and my parents." [03:08]
Despite the grocery store being less than a mile away, Cochise failed to return. An hour later, his absence raised immediate concerns, leading the family to search desperately for him. Three days after his disappearance, his mother officially reported him missing.
Initial Investigation and Early Leads
Brett Stosse, the sheriff of Iberville Parish, alongside Ronnie Herbert, the chief criminal deputy, spearheaded the investigation. The initial inquiry focused on Cochise's personal life and potential threats. Detective narratives reveal the early investigative steps:
"Cochise was doing odd jobs, you know, that type of work. Nothing where he was gonna make any money from it." [03:34]
Despite extensive searches and interviews, the case quickly hit a dead end, leaving the family in anguish and the investigators without viable leads.
New Evidence and Confessions
Four years after the disappearance, in March 1995, Diet Emael, a local beauty shop owner, contacted law enforcement with startling information. She claimed that Tommy Francis, Cochise's boss, had confessed to the murder. Emael described the manipulative nature of Francis and his potential motives:
"Tommy was very manipulative, very conniving. He could sell, you know, a burning man, gas, you know, just the type of person he was." [08:32]
To corroborate her claims, Emael agreed to wear a wire during a confrontation with Francis. Melina Gautier, another victim of Francis’s manipulative behavior, played a crucial role in obtaining a confession:
"He told me the whole damn story of what he did. Word for word, gruesome detail. I felt nauseated. I felt paralyzed, like I couldn't even move." [15:57]
Despite Francis's verbal confession, authorities faced a significant hurdle: the absence of Cochise's body. Without it, charges based solely on confession were difficult to prosecute, leading to Francis's release.
Linking to Additional Murders
Tragedy struck again in March 2002 when George Barrett III, another employee of Tommy Francis, was found dead in his home under suspicious circumstances. Investigators quickly connected the dots between Cochise's disappearance and Barrett's murder, solidifying Francis's pattern of violence.
"Tommy tells how he did it, that he unscrewed the light bulb and he shot him. And it all added up. I mean, everything she told us, the scene that we saw was exactly what she said Tommy told us." [28:49]
Reopening the Cold Case
The case lay dormant until 2015 when a fisherman's discovery of a decomposing barrel in Natchitoches rekindled hope for closure. DNA testing, however, revealed that the remains did not belong to Cochise, temporarily reigniting the mystery.
"It was like a punch in the guts. We need some closure, me and my family. We need some closure for Cochise." [31:47]
Undeterred, investigators intensified their efforts, re-interviewing witnesses and gathering new evidence against Francis.
Final Arrest and Resolution
After 25 years, in 2016, law enforcement successfully apprehended Tommy Francis in Texas. Faced with undeniable evidence and multiple confessions, Francis was charged with two counts of second-degree murder for Cochise and Barrett.
"We got a phone call from the police saying they had arrested Tommy Francis. It was a weight, a big weight off my shoulder that he had been arrested." [32:56]
Tragically, before facing trial, Francis was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in prison, denying the Smith family the full legal closure they sought.
Aftermath and Reflections
The unresolved fate of Curtis Cochise Smith left lasting scars on his family. Chrisann Smith poignantly expressed the enduring pain:
"My mother died without knowing what happened to her son. Her baby, Cochise, she never found him. I wish he could walk through that door and say, here I am, sis. You don't have to worry no more." [34:03]
Detective Aubrey St. Angelo reflected on the emotional toll of the case:
"I miss my dad a lot... I hope that whoever takes my place in the department in the coming years are able to locate Cochise. I can imagine that would be the greatest feeling in the world for the family." [34:03]
Conclusion
"Murder in the Bayou: Monster in Bayou Pigeon" underscores the relentless pursuit of justice in the face of elusive evidence and the profound impact unresolved cases have on families. While Tommy Francis's confession brought a semblance of closure, the absence of Cochise's remains leaves lingering questions and a void that the Smith family continues to endure.
Notable Quotes
- "When Cochise didn't come home, yeah, we know something was wrong." – Chrisann Smith [03:52]
- "He told me the whole damn story of what he did. Word for word, gruesome detail." – Melina Gautier [15:57]
- "We need some closure, me and my family. We need some closure for Cochise." – Chrisann Smith [31:47]
- "My mother died without knowing what happened to her son." – Chrisann Smith [34:03]
Final Thoughts
This episode of Cold Case Files masterfully weaves through years of investigation, personal testimonies, and the relentless quest for truth. It serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring quest for justice and the human stories intertwined within cold cases.