Police Arrest 2 after Body of Man Found in Louisiana Canal

UPDATE: (5/14/24)

Officials with the Vermilion Parish Sheriff's Office have announced that they have now identified the person who was found floating in a canal.

They have identified the victim as 57-year-old Hector Velasquez Vargas, a homeless man from, most recently, Lafayette.

In addition, they have arrested two suspects for second-degree murder in the man's death. The autopsy revealed Vargas was shot multiple times.

The two suspects arrested are 32-year-old Gabriel Alavarez Montoya and 66-year-old Pablo Andrade Fernandez. Both of the suspects are from Lafayette.

Both suspects were arrested on charges of second-degree murder and obstruction of justice. Also, it was found that the two are in the country illegally after their work visas expired a long time ago.

ORIGINAL:

Law enforcement officials in Vermilion Parish are asking for anyone who might have information to come forward after the body of a man was found south of Kaplan.

According to the Vermilion Parish Sheriff's Office via press release, the man's body was found by an area farmer floating in a canal south of Kaplan at around 10 o'clock Friday morning.

While there is not much information to release at this time, investigators say they are working to identify this person.

Major Sammy LaPorte says the body was seen in a canal that is off of West Liberty Farm Road, and they are working to identify this person.

The body was taken to the local parish forensics office so that an autopsy could be completed so officials would know how this person died.

LaPorte says their investigation continues and they are urging anyone who might have any information on the man's identity to contact the Criminal Investigation Division of the Vermilion Parish Sheriff's Office by calling 337-898-4403.

The Vermilion Parish Sheriff's Office is not releasing any other information at this time.

We will continue to work on the story, and we will provide you with any updates as they become available.

If you prefer, you can anonymously call the Vermilion Crime Stoppers TIPS line at 337-740-TIPS(8477). You can also anonymously give information by downloading and using the P3 app on your phone.

You can earn a cash reward for information about cases.