Podcast Summary: The Deck – "Sandra Ann Burris (5 of Spades, Louisiana)"

Episode Overview Title: Sandra Ann Burris (5 of Spades, Louisiana)
Release Date: May 14, 2025
Host: audiochuck
Description: In this episode of The Deck, host audiochuck delves into the mysterious disappearance of Sandra Ann Burris from Louisiana. Utilizing abandoned practices of distributing playing cards with missing persons' faces to inmates, the podcast seeks to shed light on cold cases and bring justice to the victims through new investigations and family insights.

Introduction to the Case

The episode opens with a poignant recounting of Sandra Burris’s disappearance on a hot summer night in 2005. Sandra, along with her 13-year-old daughter Kelly, parted ways as Sandra went out clubbing in Opelousas, Louisiana. Kelly recalls a foreboding moment when she sensed something was amiss, noting, “The look on my mom's face was just like... she was scared somehow, like she knew something bad was going to happen to her” (04:01).

Disappearance Details

On Tuesday, July 26, 2005, Sandra and Kelly separated for the evening—Kelly headed to Gulf Shores for an overnight trip, while Sandra went out with friends in Opelousas. Kelly attempted to contact her mother daily, but Sandra never responded, leading Kelly’s father to report her missing on August 8, 2005.

Initial Investigation Shortcomings

Despite the growing concern, early investigations were limited. Notably, the Opelousas Police Department did not interview Kelly or her younger sister, a decision Kelly attributes to their grandparents, who may have sought to protect the young girls or doubted their contribution to the case. Instead, the focus was initially on Sandra’s best friend, Albertha Young, known as Candy, and Sandra’s boyfriend, Dimmick Guidry.

Key Interviews and Leads

Candy’s Testimony: Candy recounted that Sandra was last seen leaving a nightclub, "Added Attraction," with a man, and they had planned to meet up briefly. Initially unconcerned, Candy became worried when Sandra failed to return, especially after Sandra’s grandmother inquired (06:30).

Dimmick Guidry’s Involvement: Dimmick provided information suggesting Sandra feared a man named Kearney, who was later convicted for another murder. He shared, “Sandra was glad she wasn't armed when Kearney committed the homicide in Opelousas” (17:19), but this lead lacked substantial evidence, as Kearney was already in custody when Sandra disappeared.

Emerging Jailhouse Tips

In the months following Sandra’s disappearance, the police received letters from inmates claiming knowledge about Sandra’s fate. One particularly disturbing tip suggested Sandra was killed for refusing to perform a sex act and that her body was disposed of in a gruesome manner. However, these claims remained unverified, as evidence was based solely on hearsay and lacked credible corroboration.

Investigation Stalls Until 2007

By 2007, the investigation faced significant setbacks. Police interviewed Freddie and Marcus, two individuals linked through jailhouse letters, but their connections to Sandra remained vague. Marcus, in particular, showed signs of deception during a polygraph test, refusing to provide information about Sandra’s whereabouts (16:30). Despite these interrogations, no substantial evidence tied Freddie or Marcus directly to Sandra’s disappearance.

Renewed Interest and New Leads

The case remained cold until 2017 when Kelly Burris received an unsolicited Facebook message from a man claiming to know Sandra’s fate. He alleged that a man named Richard confessed to killing Sandra after a night of drug use, mirroring earlier accounts of a bad reaction to drugs leading to her death (25:00). This revelation reignited hope for the case, prompting Kelly to reach out to investigators through The Deck podcast.

Family Insights and Personal Impact

Kelly shares the profound personal impact of her mother’s disappearance, describing Sandra as both a friend and a mother who battled with depression and substance abuse. “She was funny, smart... but she had a lot of unresolved depression, and she would end up going back into doing crack” (28:09). Kelly emphasizes the emotional burden of not knowing her mother’s fate and the resilience she and her sister have developed over the years.

Current Status and Ongoing Efforts

As of the episode's release, Sandra Burris’s case remains open with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office actively seeking new information. Major Marc LeBlanc stated, “Every attempt is being made to contact witnesses, persons of interest, and anyone else who might have knowledge of the case” (30:25). Kelly and her sister express hope that renewed investigations will finally bring closure to their family's long-standing uncertainty.

Conclusion

The disappearance of Sandra Ann Burris is a haunting case that underscores the complexities and frustrations inherent in solving cold cases. Through persistent efforts and the emergence of new leads, The Deck highlights the enduring hope for justice and closure for Sandra’s family. Listeners are encouraged to contribute any information through St. Landry Parish Crime Stoppers to aid in resolving this two-decade-old mystery.

Notable Quotes:

• Kelly Burris on her mother's demeanor the night Sandra disappeared:
  “The look on my mom's face was just like... she was scared somehow, like she knew something bad was going to happen to her” (04:01)

• Detective Donald Thompson on Freddie and Marcus's involvement:
  “When asked these specific questions, were you in any way involved in the disappearance of Cash?...” (16:30)

• Kelly Burris reflecting on her relationship with Sandra:
  “She was more of a friend to me than a mom... I feel like I grew up early, early on” (27:32)

• Major Marc LeBlanc on the status of the case:
  “It doesn't mean we don't have a case. We don't have a case that's ready for prosecution.” (30:25)

For more information or to support the investigation, listeners are encouraged to contact St. Landry Parish Crime Stoppers at stlandrycrimestoppers.com or call their hotline at 1-337-948-8477.