Skeletal remains identified; Three charged with Aggravated Kidnapping and Second Degree Murder

On July 11, 2020 the Houma Police Department received a report of a missing person identified as Henry Aldridge, 46 years old, of Houma. Aldridge was last seen by family several days before and not seen or heard from since.

After several months of investigation investigators developed three suspects that were involved in the disappearance of Aldridge. They were identified as Jamar Mosely, 32 years old, Shawn Thomas, 30 years old and Tora Melendez, 34 years old. As the investigation continued it appeared that the disappearance was motivated some type of a narcotic related dispute.

On November 7, 2020 the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to the 5000 block of North Bayou Black Drive in reference to skeletal remains being located. With the assistance of the LSU Faces Laboratory the remains were recovered and processed for DNA. The remains were confirmed as those of Henry Aldridge.

After further investigation, warrants were obtained for the arrest for the following suspects:

Shawn Thomas 30 years old for the charges of Aggravated Kidnapping and Second Degree Murder.

Tora Melendez, 34 years old, for the charges of Aggravated Kidnapping and Second Degree Murder.

Jamar Mosely, 32 years old, for the charge of Aggravated Kidnapping and Second Degree Murder. Mosely was also charged with Possession of a Firearm, as he had a handgun in his possession at the time of his arrest.

Thomas and Mosely were located and taken into custody without incident and transported to the Terrebonne Parish Criminal Complex. Melendez was booked at the Terrebonne Parish Criminal Justice Complex as she was already incarcerated on an unrelated charge.

Anyone with information is encouraged to submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers Bayou Region by phone at 1-800-743-7433 or online at www.crimestoppersbr.org. Tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 in cash if the information leads to an arrest.