In April 1992, a white female infant was discovered inside a garbage bag in Picayune, Pearl River County, Mississippi. The Mississippi State Medical Examiner determined that the cause of death was perinatal asphyxia due to smothering, and the case was classified as a homicide. The case was entered into NamUs as UP83672.
The Picayune Police Department initiated a homicide investigation and collected various pieces of evidence, some of which were linked to associations in Gretna, LA. All evidence was preserved by the Picayune Police Department.
In August 2021, the Picayune Police Department and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations Detectives reopened the investigation. The forensic DNA evidence from the case was sent to Othram for advanced DNA testing. Utilizing Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing, Othram scientists were able to create a comprehensive genealogical profile for the infant. This genealogical profile was then used by Othram’s in-house genealogical team to produce investigative leads. Othram returned the leads to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations.
With the help of those leads, along with fingerprints obtained from preserved evidence and ongoing investigative efforts, detectives were ultimately able to identify the infant's parents as 50-year-old Andrew Carriere and 50-year-old Inga Johansen Carriere, who were living in Louisiana at the time of the infant's death.
In January 2022, the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations - New Orleans Field Office received a request for assistance from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations regarding a cold case homicide investigation. The Picayune Police Department led the homicide investigation and collected various pieces of evidence, some of which were linked to associations in Gretna, Louisiana. The evidence was preserved by the Picayune Police Department.
As a result of the investigation, Louisiana State Police detectives obtained an arrest warrant through the 24th Judicial District Court for both Inga Johansen Carriere and Andrew Carriere for First Degree Murder. In February 2023, Inga Johansen Carriere was arrested at her residence in Avondale, Louisiana. In March 2023, Andrew Carriere was arrested in Galliano, Louisiana and ultimately booked into the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center.
The funding for this case was provided by Carla Davis, a Mississippi native and philanthropist dedicated to helping the state of Mississippi resolve its backlog of unsolved cases using Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing. This case serves as a testament to the advancements in forensic DNA testing technology and the commitment of law enforcement agencies to bring justice to victims and their families.
Republished courtesy of Othram/Louisiana State Police.