BATON ROUGE – Baton Rouge Police issued an arrest warrant on Tuesday for 20-year-old Terryon Ishmael Thomas in connection with a high-profile investigation involving a hit-and-run and a dead body found in Tangipahoa Parish. Thomas, who is accused of fleeing police in a vehicle registered to 69-year-old therapist William Nicholas Abraham, now faces charges of aggravated criminal damage to property, resisting an officer, and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
The incident began on Monday when a Baton Rouge Police officer attempted to pull over a black Lincoln MKZ on North Sherwood Forest Boulevard. According to the arrest warrant, the driver of the car, later identified as Thomas, refused to comply. Instead of stopping, the driver reversed the vehicle into the police unit, damaging the car, before speeding away from the scene. Despite the efforts of the police officer, the suspect managed to escape.
Police investigation quickly escalated after the discovery of Abraham’s body on Sunday along U.S. Highway 51 in Tangipahoa Parish, roughly 50 miles northeast of Baton Rouge. Abraham’s body was found wrapped in a tarp, raising immediate suspicion of foul play. Further inquiry revealed that the black Lincoln MKZ used in the attempted traffic stop was registered to the deceased therapist. This key connection placed Thomas at the center of the investigation.
The timeline of events has heightened public concern. On Sunday afternoon, just hours before the attempted traffic stop, Abraham’s car was seen in Juban Crossing, a popular shopping center in Denham Springs. This sighting led authorities to believe that Thomas had been in possession of the vehicle before the body was discovered. However, the exact circumstances leading to Abraham’s death remain unclear, and authorities have yet to disclose whether Thomas is directly involved in the therapist’s murder or simply in possession of the car after the fact.
Police have also shared that Thomas, who goes by the alias “Mr. Prada” on TikTok, has been listed as a person of interest in the case. Photos of Thomas have circulated across multiple social media platforms as law enforcement seeks to track him down. The decision to release his social media handle has fueled speculation that Thomas may be leveraging online platforms to influence or deflect attention, though this remains speculative at this point in the investigation.
Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office has been working closely with Baton Rouge Police to gather more evidence and leads in the case. Detectives are urging anyone with information on Thomas’s whereabouts to come forward. The collaborative effort between multiple agencies underscores the seriousness of the case, which has quickly drawn regional attention.
Local residents have expressed shock and concern over the unfolding situation, particularly due to the violent nature of the incident. The discovery of Abraham’s body wrapped in a tarp along a highway has added a chilling layer to an already disturbing case, leaving many in the community demanding answers. Abraham, a licensed therapist, was well known in his field, making his death particularly unsettling for those who knew him professionally.
As the search for Thomas continues, Baton Rouge Police have ramped up their efforts, utilizing both digital and physical channels to locate the suspect. The department has not disclosed whether Thomas has a criminal history, but his actions during the attempted traffic stop suggest a willingness to evade law enforcement, complicating the ongoing search.
At this stage, the connection between Thomas and Abraham, if any, is still under investigation. Investigators are working to determine how Thomas came to be in possession of the therapist’s vehicle and whether his involvement extends beyond the unauthorized use of the car. The possibility of additional charges being brought against Thomas has not been ruled out, especially if evidence emerges linking him to Abraham’s death.
As this investigation develops, authorities continue to urge the public to remain vigilant. Law enforcement agencies have increased patrols in Baton Rouge and surrounding areas in hopes of capturing Thomas and preventing further escalation. Until Thomas is apprehended, many questions surrounding the death of William Nicholas Abraham remain unanswered, leaving the community on edge.