When the decades-old murder case of Roxanne Sharp went cold, Louisiana State Police took an unusual approach to generate new leads: they partnered with a local podcaster to share her story with the public.
The true crime podcast, Who Killed Roxanne?, hosted by Charles Dowdy, featured Sharp’s 1982 murder and brought attention to the case on social media, sparking renewed interest decades later.
Podcast Collaboration Sparks Tips
According to Louisiana State Police Public Information Officer Marc Gremillion, tips began pouring in from across the state and even nationally after the podcast aired.
Former residents of Covington, people connected to the case, and younger generations who had only heard rumors about the murder began contacting investigators.
New Approach in Cold Case Investigations
This partnership marks one of the first times Louisiana State Police worked so closely with a podcast on an active cold case investigation. Officials said the experience showed how true crime podcasts and local journalism can be effective tools for generating leads, reexamining evidence, and engaging the public in unsolved cases.
The Roxanne Sharp case is now considered a compelling example of how digital media can help revive interest in cold cases and support law enforcement efforts in solving decades-old crimes.
