In the quiet community of Metairie, Louisiana, a grim discovery marked the end of a life and the beginning of a years-long quest for justice. Morris Alexander Williams, a 26-year-old transgender woman known to her friends as Milan or Mimi, was found dead in her apartment on February 14, 2013. The ensuing investigation would unravel a story of violence that cut short a young life and left a lasting impact on those who knew her.
Concerned friends, who had not heard from Williams or her partner, Akeem Boudreaux, 22, for several days, went to their apartment in the 2200 block of Edenborn Avenue. Forcing their way inside, they were met with a horrific scene. The bodies of Williams and Boudreaux were found, both having been shot in the head. The couple's dog was also discovered in the apartment. Authorities determined they had been killed nine days earlier, on February 5, 2013.
The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office quickly launched an investigation. An acquaintance of the couple, Melvin Miller of Baton Rouge, was identified as a suspect. Investigators discovered that Miller had traveled by bus from Baton Rouge to Metairie on the day of the murders. After shooting Williams and Boudreaux, he fled in Williams' car, taking her iPhone and computer with him. A license plate recognition system helped authorities track the stolen vehicle to Baton Rouge.
On February 16, 2013, Baton Rouge police arrested Miller in connection with a domestic dispute involving his own transgender lover. During the investigation into the double homicide, Miller's partner, Joseph 'Jasmine' Alexander, admitted to disposing of bullets from their apartment and later pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice.
In February 2020, a Jefferson Parish jury found Melvin Miller guilty of two counts of second-degree murder. He was also convicted of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. The following month, a judge sentenced Miller to two consecutive life sentences in prison, citing his 'callous' behavior and lack of remorse for the brutal murders of Morris 'Milan' Williams and Akeem Boudreaux.
