Arrest made in Lafayette Parish cold case murder from over 30 years ago
By KADN News Staff
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LAFAYETTE, Louisiana (KADN) — A man has been arrested in connection with a murder that happened more than 30 years ago, according to the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Clinton Dronet, 60, is charged with second-degree murder in the 1994 stabbing death of John Perry Meche. Dronet was already in custody at the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center on unrelated charges when he was rearrested on April 15 for the murder.
Deputies reported they responded to Cameron Street near Pecan Grove Road on Dec. 2, 1994, after receiving a report of a stabbing. They said Meche, 47, was taken to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Investigators explained the case went cold for decades due to a lack of evidence linking a suspect to the murder and limitations in available technology at the time. They added late last year, detectives reviewing the cold case worked with the Acadiana Crime Lab to reexamine and retest evidence.
They noted that work resulted in a successful DNA match that identified Dronet as the suspect, and at the time of his arrest for Meche’s murder, Dronet was already being held on unrelated charges for domestic abuse battery and violation of protective orders.
Sheriff Mark Garber said the arrest reflects the value of sustained commitment and taking a fresh look at evidence.
“Advances in technology also played an important role, allowing investigators to reexamine key pieces of evidence in new ways. That combination ultimately made the difference,” explained Sheriff Garber. “I’m proud of the professionalism and persistence of our detectives that led to this outcome and to finally being able to provide closure in this case.”
A trial date has not been set.
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