In the summer of 2024, the life of 55-year-old Ronald Landry of Boyce, Louisiana, was tragically cut short in a violent encounter. On the evening of Wednesday, June 19, 2024, Landry, along with 38-year-old Jeremy Swafford of Alexandria, was killed in what authorities have described as a double homicide on Simmons Street in Alexandria. Landry was a man with no felony record, making the circumstances of his death all the more perplexing to those who knew him.
The events that led to the
deaths of Landry and Swafford at the Simmons Street residence remain unclear. However, law enforcement acted swiftly in their investigation. The night following the discovery of the two men, police arrested 46-year-old Rentis Austin of Alexandria in connection with the killings. The motive for the slayings has not been publicly released, leaving a community to grapple with the senseless loss of two lives.
Rentis Austin now faces serious charges for his alleged role in the deaths of Ronald Landry and Jeremy Swafford. He has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder, in addition to parole and probation violations. A judge set his bail at a substantial $2 million. Austin is no stranger to the criminal justice system, having been booked into the parish jail multiple times in recent years on a variety of charges, including armed robbery and auto theft. As the legal process moves forward, the families and friends of Ronald Landry and Jeremy Swafford are left to mourn their loss and await justice.
