Sulphur Couple Arrested for Attempted 2nd-Degree Murder

A Sulphur couple is behind bars and charged with attempted 2nd-degree murder after they struck the victim with a truck and hit her with a pipe.

On Tuesday, September 18, the deputies with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office responded to a call of a woman lying near railroad tracks covered in mud in Sulphur. The woman was thought to be dead but set up when the person who found her approached her. She reportedly had a visible severe head injury and was transported to a local hospital where they learned she had "multiple fractures to her skull along with a brain bleed", said a media release.

The following day, while detectives were canvassing the area where the victim was found, they encountered Christina M. Russell, 27, and Joseph N. Thomas, 23, both of 146 Buhler Station Road, Sulphur, outside of their home and learned they were with the victim the day before her being found near the railroad track. The investigation revealed the couple did not know the victim but picked her while she was walking and brought her to their home. When detectives interviewed Russell and Thomas they both stated while the victim was at their home an argument ensued. They stated they pushed the victim off their back porch and the victim left the home on foot. They then advised detectives they got into a truck and Russell struck the victim with a truck while she was walking down the roadway. They also stated Thomas exited the truck and struck the victim with a pipe and they then fled the scene; leaving the victim on the side of the roadway. Russell was also found to be in possession of the victim’s cell phone.

Russell and Thomas were arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center on Wednesday, September 19, and charged with attempted 2nd-degree murder.  Their bonds are set at $500,000 each.

While the victim remains hospitalized in critical condition, more charges could be issued as the investigation continues.