In the early morning hours of Friday, June 15, 2018, the life of 61-year-old Steven Jerome Beaird came to a tragic and violent end. The Haughton, Louisiana man was found dead, the victim of a fatal shooting. His passing was unexpected and sent ripples of shock and grief through his community and family. Beaird, a man who spent most of his life as an ironworker, was remembered for his versatile skills, from writing poetry and doing leatherwork to welding high in the air. He was a father of five and a grandfather, known for his love for the outdoors and his family.
The investigation into Beaird's death led to law enforcement identifying a suspect. The circumstances surrounding the shooting and the motive were investigated by the Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office. An autopsy would later reveal that Beaird's death was caused by multiple gunshot wounds. The forensic pathologist who conducted the examination testified that Beaird was shot in the left eye, the right side of his chest, and the right groin. Three bullets were recovered from his body, and the evidence suggested the shots were fired from a distance of more than two feet. A toxicology report also indicated the presence of marijuana and a high concentration of methamphetamines in his system.
A significant breakthrough in the case came with the recovery of a pink revolver, identified as a Charter Arms revolver with the inscription 'The Pink Lady,' and a hat from an area off Roy Road on January 29, 2019. This evidence would prove crucial in the legal proceedings that followed. The investigation culminated in the arrest of a suspect, bringing the case into the judicial system. Details from the subsequent court case, STATE v. MCLENDON, shed further light on the evidence and the events that transpired leading to Beaird's untimely death.
