In May of 2019, the community of Montegut, Louisiana, was shaken by the disappearance and subsequent death of 53-year-old Kirby 'Bud' Courteaux Jr. The investigation into his whereabouts began after he was reported missing, having not been seen for several days. The case took a grim turn when his body was discovered in a wooded area in Morgan City, revealing he had been the victim of a fatal shooting.
An autopsy would later confirm that Courteaux had sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
The events leading to the discovery of Courteaux's body began to unfold when deputies in Terrebonne Parish spotted his pickup truck. A high-speed chase ensued, ending with the driver abandoning the vehicle and fleeing into a wooded area. The driver, identified as 22-year-old Terance Dupre of Montegut, was apprehended. During questioning, investigators learned that Courteaux had been shot and killed at a boat launch in Pointe-aux-Chenes. The investigation further revealed that after the shooting, his body was transported to Morgan City.
Authorities identified a second suspect, 21-year-old Davonte Mathews, also of Montegut. Both Dupre and Mathews were subsequently charged with second-degree murder. The investigation determined that on the night of the incident, Courteaux was at the boat launch with Dupre and Mathews when he was shot. His wallet was stolen, and his truck was taken. A third individual, a 16-year-old male, was later charged as an accessory after the fact, as it was revealed he was with Dupre and Mathews when they transported Courteaux's body to Morgan City.
In April 2022, Terance Dupre was convicted of the second-degree murder of Kirby Courteaux Jr. During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Dupre was found driving the victim's stolen vehicle and was in possession of clothing with Courteaux's DNA on it. Surveillance footage also showed Dupre making multiple cash withdrawals from the victim's bank account. Following his conviction, Dupre was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. His accomplice, Davante Matthews, reportedly entered into a plea agreement in exchange for his testimony, receiving a sentence for obstruction of justice.
