In the late afternoon of Thursday, February 22, 2024, the life of 19-year-old Madison Claire Olivier was tragically cut short in her hometown of New Iberia, Louisiana. A lifelong resident of the city, Madison was a 2022 graduate of New Iberia Senior High and had recently been promoted to Assistant Manager at AMC Property Management. She was known for her vibrant spirit and love for the local Mardi Gras celebrations, a reflection of her lively personality.
On that fateful evening, at
approximately 6:12 p.m., the New Iberia Police Department responded to a call in the 400 block of Calhoun Street. There, they found Madison Olivier, the victim of gun violence. The investigation that followed led detectives to identify 21-year-old Lamarson James Benoit as the primary suspect in the young woman's death.
Following their investigation, the New Iberia Police Department secured arrest warrants for Benoit on a string of serious charges. These included first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, illegal use of weapons, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and aggravated criminal damage to property. For a period, his whereabouts were unknown, and law enforcement sought public assistance in locating him.
The search for the suspect concluded on May 11, 2024, when Lamarson James Benoit was booked into the Iberia Parish Jail. In addition to the charges related to the death of Madison Olivier, he also faced a charge of probation violation. The community was left to mourn the loss of a young woman described as having a beautiful smile that could light up a room, as her family and friends prepared for her funeral services, which were held in early March.
