19-year-old killed and dismembered after meeting a Monroe man online

WEST MONROE POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE
April 24, 2024

On 01/24/2024 at 2:08 PM, the Catahoula Parish Sheriff’s Office received a call reporting a body floating in the Ouachita River in a rural area near Poole Road. Deputies recovered the body, and the remains were found to be only a torso. There was no head or extremities connected to the body. The remains were sent for an autopsy and the findings led to the case being listed as a homicide.

During the investigation, the remains were positively identified through DNA testing. The remains were identified as being Sheryl M. Turner, a nineteen-year-old black female whose last known address was in New Iberia, LA. Through forensic data, it was later determined the victim engaged in a romantic relationship over text message with someone from West Monroe. From statements given by Turner’s family, she left New Iberia to stay with a person she met online. Turner’s last known location was later determined to be a residence in West Monroe.

On April 19, 2024, the West Monroe Police Department took a lead investigating role in this matter. Through forensic data and surveillance, the suspect was positively identified as Anthony Pierce Holland Jr. On April 23, 2024, search warrants were executed at Holland’s home, and he was taken into custody without incident.

During the search warrants at Holland’s home, forensic evidence of a crime of violence was obtained. During subsequent interviews with Holland, he admitted to killing Turner inside his residence. Holland further stated he dismembered the body of Turner inside his home. Holland stated he placed Turner’s dismembered remains into a body of water that fed into the Ouachita River.

Holland was later booked at the Ouachita Correctional Center for one count of Second-Degree Murder by true warrant. This investigation is still active.

The West Monroe Police Department would like to thank the Catahoula Parish Sheriff’s Office for their hard work and dedication on this case. WMPD would also like to thank the Louisiana Office of the Attorney General, the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this matter.