Cedric Bernard Stephens, the prime suspect in the murder of Daniel Merritt, turned himself in to the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office on June 2. As soon as he turned himself in, he requested an attorney, therefore, law enforcement has not yet been able to question him about the murder or his whereabouts since Merritt’s body was discovered on May 7 buried in the woods off Auction Barn Road.
Multiple agencies have been actively hunting Stephens since a warrant was issued for his arrest on May 9.
“We put in a lot of man hours, a lot of overtime hours,” said Police Chief McIver. “I would like to believe that the constant pressure from law enforcement helped him to make the decision to turn himself in.
“I’m glad he turned himself in. I feel that the people of Minden can rest easier knowing that he’s in custody.”