Retired Louisiana priest identified as one of two people found ‘burned beyond recognition’

A priest was identified as one of two people police found “burned beyond recognition” in Covington, Louisiana, on Monday.

The bodies of Father Otis Young Jr. and a second person were located around 7 a.m. on E. Gibson Street, the Covington Police Department said in a statement. Facebook Statement.

One suspect, Antonio Donde Tyson, 49, was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping, obstruction of justice, resisting an officer and unlawful possession of stolen property, police said.

No further details about the killings have been released.

A spokesman for the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office said Young, 71, died of acute blunt force trauma. His death was classified as a homicide.

The office is using DNA to identify the second victim, a female, the spokesperson said. nbc affiliate WDSU New Orleans reported that Young’s partner, Ruth Prats, is missing.

St. Peter Parish said in a statement Tuesday that it was “devastated” by the news of the killings.

“We are deeply saddened and ask that you join us in praying for Father Otis and Ruth, who is still listed as a missing person, as well as their families,” the church said, adding that the suspect has no affiliation with a they.