An African American woman, 37-year-old Joyce Thomas, became the victim of a brutal murder on October 31, 1988. Her death was the result of a violent attack that sent shockwaves through her community. Joyce was discovered in her apartment in Ville Platte, Louisiana, having sustained multiple stab wounds. The subsequent investigation into her death would unravel a story of abduction and sexual assault, leading authorities to a dangerous individual already known to the criminal justice system.
The investigation, a collaborative effort involving local police, parish sheriffs, state troopers, and federal agents, pointed to Phillip Dewoody, a 54-year-old man from Opelousas, Louisiana, with a significant history of violent crime. At the time of Joyce's murder, Dewoody was on parole for a prior homicide conviction. His criminal record also included offenses such as kidnapping and sexual assault against another woman. Investigators diligently pieced together the evidence, which included surveillance footage, credit card transactions, and witness statements, to build a case against him.
The evidence revealed that Dewoody had abducted Joyce from her apartment and taken her to a secluded, vacant lot in St. Landry Parish. There, he subjected her to a brutal sexual assault before ultimately taking her life. In an attempt to conceal his horrific actions, he poured bleach on her body and covered it with branches. Despite his initial denials and attempts to mislead law enforcement, the overwhelming evidence compiled against him led to his arrest.
Faced with the extensive evidence, Phillip Dewoody eventually pleaded guilty to the first-degree murder of Joyce Thomas. In addition to the murder charge, he also pleaded guilty to the aggravated kidnapping and rape of another woman. The court handed down a sentence of three consecutive life sentences for his crimes. The plea agreement, which was approved by the surviving victim and the families of both victims, brought a sense of closure to a tragic and violent case.
