Friends and loved ones remembered Brandy Joyce Hanks as a beautiful, smart, and comical person with a big heart. The 41-year-old White woman from Alexandria, Louisiana, was described as a "free spirit" who always had a smile and a hug for everyone she knew. A graduate of Grant High School, she was known for wanting to help others and for seeing the good in everyone.
A friend recalled her as a "sweet crazy cutting up friend," a sentiment echoed by others who cherished her warm and vibrant personality.
On the evening of Saturday, September 9, 2023, Brandy's life took a tragic turn. At around 5:30 p.m., deputies from the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a person being shot in the 400 block of Browns Bend Road in Alexandria. At the scene, they found that Brandy had been wounded by gunfire. She was rushed by Acadian Ambulance to a local hospital for treatment.
While Brandy fought for her life, investigators began a search for the person responsible for the shooting. By Sunday night, the sheriff's office had identified a suspect: 43-year-old Richard Scott Dauzart. According to official releases, Dauzart lived at the same address as Brandy. Despite medical efforts, Brandy Joyce Hanks passed away from her injuries at the hospital around 3:30 a.m. on Monday, September 11.
Following Brandy's death, the charge against Dauzart was upgraded to second-degree murder. Authorities issued a warrant for his arrest and warned the public that he should be considered armed and dangerous. The search for Dauzart concluded when he was located and taken into custody by law enforcement. As of September 2023, the case against him was moving forward in the legal system.
