While Lafayette police try to build a kidnapping and murder case against Brandon Scott Lavergne, law enforcement officials in other jurisdictions are looking at possible connections between the convicted sex offender and unsolved crimes against women.
The Independent has learned that law enforcement officials in jurisdictions outside of Lafayette Parish are exploring possible links between Brandon Scott Lavergne and unsolved crimes against women. Lavergne, 33, was arrested July 5 on charges of aggravated kidnapping and first-degree murder in the case of missing 21-year-old UL Lafayette student Mickey Shunick. A grand jury hears the case Wednesday.
When Lafayette police arrested Lavergne, they searched his home in the Swords area of rural St. Landry Parish. Among items taken was an undisclosed number of women's IDs, according to sources with information of the ongoing investigation.
"We have been contacted by other agencies regarding the arrest and have shared information," Lafayette Police Department spokesman Paul Mouton writes in an email response to The Independent's questions about Lavergne's potential involvement in other crimes. "I cannot confirm the agencies that have contacted us in this investigation."
On Monday The Independent broke a story about Lavergne being treated for a lacerated finger and a severe case of poison ivy at Opelousas General after his initial treatment at Ochsner's Hospital at 1516 Jefferson Hwy. in the New Orleans area.
Lafayette police have not commented on whether they believe there was a struggle between Shunick and Lavergne. The search for her continues, with Texas-based Equusearch returning to the Acadiana area last week to assist law enforcement.