In the early morning hours of December 7, 2022, joggers in Metairie, Louisiana, made a tragic discovery. The body of Charlene Jarreau, a 42-year-old female resident of New Orleans, was found on the side of Ivy Street near the intersection with Little Farms Avenue. An investigation by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office determined she had been shot in the neck and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Detectives soon uncovered a history of violence that preceded Jarreau's death.
Relatives told investigators that Jarreau had recently ended an abusive romantic relationship with Jakita Johnson, 42. Surveillance footage from businesses in the area captured Jarreau’s final, desperate hours in what one detective described as a “cat-and-mouse game.” The videos showed Jarreau trying to escape Johnson’s Chevrolet Tahoe at least twice. During her attempts to get away, she was roughed up, bitten on the face, and even hit by the SUV. Around 1:14 a.m., footage showed Jarreau trying to hide behind a closed business before Johnson allegedly forced her back. Her body was found about a block away five hours later.
A day after Jarreau was found, authorities arrested Johnson and booked her on charges of first-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping, and obstruction of justice. A second suspect, Patna Carter, was also arrested and booked on the same charges, accused of having been present when the killing occurred.
Following the arrests, prosecutors reviewed the case and refused all charges against Patna Carter. As of December 2022, the criminal proceedings against Jakita Johnson were still pending in court.
