Body of Baton Rouge therapist found wrapped in tarp off Louisiana highway, killer at large

Officials are asking the public for help identifying a person of interest sought in connection with the killing of a therapist found wrapped in a tarp along a Louisiana highway.

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office reported William Nicholas Abraham, 69, was discovered dead along a roadway in the parish on the state's southeastern border over the weekend.

Abraham's body was found by a passerby Sunday morning along Highway 51 between the unincorporated community of Fluker and the Village of Tangipahoa − about 60 miles northeast of Baton Rouge, where detectives said he worked.

Abraham's body was found wrapped inside a tarp, and the local coroner’s office determined he died as a result of blunt force trauma and ruled his death a homicide, the sheriff's office wrote in a release.

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Nick Abraham's vehicle located, crashed by driver who fled

According to an update from the sheriff's office, law enforcement located the victim's vehicle on Monday afternoon, but the driver of the vehicle sped away from a traffic stop.

At some point, the driver crashed the car and ran from the scene, officials said.

The person's identity was not immediately known by officials, law enforcement reported.

The sheriff's office provided photos of the driver, captured by store surveillance video, described as a thin, Black male with short black hair, wearing a long-sleeve black shirt and khaki shorts.

Officials did not provide a description of the victim's vehicle.

Who was William 'Nick' Abraham?

According to his biography on his webpage, Abraham was a life coach, licensed professional counselor, motivational speaker, author and more.

"With more than 30 years experience in treating substance abuse, depression and anxiety, he provides psychotherapy, guidance and psycho-education to couples, individuals, adolescents and families," the bio reads.

His office was based near the city's Mid City South neighborhood about 7 miles east from downtown Baton Rouge.

"Dr. Nick Abraham was a light, a wonderful therapist who went that extra step and reached out to his clients beyond appointments and really truly loved, cared and shared the light of God," one of his friends posted on Facebook following his death. "I’ll miss him and I pray for his dear friends and family."

Another person wrote, "Was just talking about him at lunch… about when he lead the audience in the singing of “God Bless America” a few years ago at the annual Golden Deeds Award banquet after our confirmed singer failed to show. A unique and talented person; a kind soul. Condolences to his family and friends. May Nick’s memory be for a blessing and may God’s countenance forever shine brightly on his soul."

Motive in Baton Rouge therapist's killing not immediately known

A motive in the slaying was not provided by officials.

USA TODAY reached out to the sheriff's office who directed additional questions to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office, which they said is the lead agency on the case.

That office could not immediately be reached Tuesday morning.

Anyone with information about the person seen in these pictures is asked to call 985-902-2008. To share information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa’s tip line at 1-800-554-5245 or visit www.tangicrimestoppers.com

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.