A KILLER AMONG US

Thorough investigation continues after Ronald J. Dominique, 42, confessed to killing 23 males in six parishes over nearly a decade. Depending on what investigators find, authorities are saying this could be one of the most significant serial killer cases in the nation.

The Houma man admitted to the murders in question to authorities from the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office and Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office investigators over the weekend.

TPSO Sheriff Jerry Larpenter said that the suspect has been 100 percent co-operative; however, the lawman believes there still could be additional victims Dominque has yet to admit to.

“This is still an open case,” Larpenter said at a press conference in Houma Monday.

In Terrebonne Parish, two killings with characteristics similar to the 23 cases Dominique confessed to remain in question. When questioned about those open cases, Dominique was adamant about his innocence, the sheriff said.

Dominique was arrested on Friday afternoon without incident for the murder and rape of Manuel Reed and the murder of Oliver LeBanks. Authorities confiscated two recreational vehicles and a truck owned by the Houma man to be used as evidentiary support.

LeBanks was 26 years of age at the time authorities found his body on Oct. 5, 1998, at 6900 Stable Dr. in Metairie. Reed was found on May 30, 1999, six months after LeBanks, at 2433 Bain Bridge in nearby Kenner. He was 19 years old at the time.

Authorities said LeBanks and Reed were found strangled, both without one shoe, shirtless and in remote areas. Similar killings had been discovered as far back as 1997, police said.

As of press time Monday, Dominique has been charged with nine counts of first-degree murder in Terrebonne Parish. The original charges that warranted Dominique’s arrest n first-degree murder and aggravated rape n are punishable by the death penalty in Louisiana.

Terrebonne Parish District Attorney Joe Waitz Jr. confirmed Monday that he would pursue the death penalty. If convicted, Dominique would be the parish’s second person to be punished to death.

Waitz said he intends to present Dominque’s case to a grand jury in 30 to 45 days, but said there is still much investigative work to be done.

The Motive

Multiple links were made between the 23 victims including missing articles of clothing, the cause of death, the location of where the body was found and the “high risk” lifestyles tended to be similar in nature, according to authorities.

“The victims were either walking or riding a bike… they were vulnerable. These people were street people,” Larpenter said.

The sheriff said “without a doubt” the motive for the slayings was sexual. Victims were lured to their deaths with promises of sex with Dominique or non-existent females, Larpenter said.

Dominique does have a previous criminal history, both sexual and violent in nature. The sheriff said the suspect had been charged twice in the early ’90s for aggravated rape in Lafourche Parish but there was not enough evidence to convict.

The One That Got Away

Strong leads and what Les Bonano, head of investigations for the state Attorney General’s office, called “old-fashioned police work” brought Dominique’s name to the forefront. Bonano said the suspect had been under police surveillance for an “extended amount of time.”

One man survived Dominique’s attack and tipped-off authorities, said Larpenter. Last summer, a young man came forward with the name of someone who had allegedly tried to rape him, the sheriff said. The man escaped Dominque’s advances unharmed, he said.

Authorities then used that tip and included Dominique in the pool of suspects.

Larpenter said Dominique had voluntarily agreed to a swab DNA test and was initially interviewed several months ago. Genetic testing from the swab matched evidence found on the bodies of LeBanks and Reed, and authorities began to build a case against the Houma man, the sheriff said.

During questioning this week, Dominique detailed when, where and how he killed each of his victims, erasing any doubt in Larpenter’s mind.

The Arrest

He checked in like any other person in need but Sgt. Bobby O’Bryan, owner of the Bunk House Inn Inc. in Houma, had no idea what was in store when Dominique walked through the doors Wednesday afternoon.

The Bunk House normally has an emergency occupancy regulation, allowing visitors shelter until 8 a.m. the next morning, but when O’Bryan was confronted by a multi-agency task force looking for a possible serial killer, he issued Dominique a dormitory room where he could be watched by camera surveillance.

“We happened to have a room available, which was the safest place to put him. It was a private room in the back so he was isolated from other people staying here,” said O’Bryan.

Bunk House regulations normally disallow convicted individuals with violent or sexual criminal charges to receive help. Because the task force was tracking Dominque’s every move, the suspect serial killer was provided shelter.

“We brought him in for the safety of the community and our own people staying in the shelter. It was better for him to be here where he could be watched rather than out on the streets,” said O’Bryan. “Ironically, the room [Dominique] stayed in was the exact room where Barnett (one of his victims) stayed,” he said.

Authorities approached O’Bryan early Thursday and initiated 24-hour surveillance that led to his arrest Friday around 3:30 p.m.

The video documentation from the cameras in the shelter displayed a quiet scene as Dominique was led to a squad car that would take him away.

O’Bryan said naturally residents and the few volunteers who work at the Bunk House were both shocked and thankful that no one was harmed during Dominique’s short stay.

Only O’Bryan and his wife were aware Dominique, a suspected serial killer, was under surveillance. The two were responsible for making sure operations at the shelter ran as normal as possible so Dominique wouldn’t become suspicious.

“It was nerve-wracking. I shook his hand when he came in and stood face-to-face with him. Some of the residents had spent time talking to him, one [resident] for nearly two-hours. It was shocking for everyone,” said O’Bryan.

Staff photo by Matt LeBlanc * Tri-Parish Times/ Pictured are the victims of Ronald Dominique, the Houma man who confessed to killing 23 men over a 10-year period.