A small note duct taped to a tree was the only notification that America’s Most Wanted would be filming in the Sharlo area where police found Charlotte Murray Pace murdered last summer.
Some Sharlo residents were standing outside as four State Police cars, two motor homes and one East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office police car lined the street. Many had no knowledge of what was happening.
John Walsh, host of America’s Most Wanted, said the crew was filming an expanded version of the September episode on the man who killed three Baton Rouge women and one Lafayette woman in the past year and a half.
The America’s Most Wanted crew is working with the Baton Rouge Homicide Task Force to catch the Baton Rouge serial killer, Walsh said.
Andre Savoie, a senior at McKinley High School, lived in the complex where America’s Most Wanted was filming. He said he was not informed of when the crew would film, but his family had to give authorization for the crew to use their property.
Ben Barker, a former University student, lives in Pace’s former apartment. He said his landlord did not give the crew permission to use his residence.
“My landlord asked me if I minded them using my apartment,” Barker said. “I didn’t mind as long as it would help the investigation.”
Luke Weiler, a Sharlo resident, said when he woke up he had no idea why all the police cars where around.
“Right after [the murder] happened, there were a lot of cop cars,” Weiler said. “I just got up and came downstairs to see.”
He said he feels America’s Most Wanted can help because it has helped remove 15 people from the FBI’s Most Wanted list.
The Task Force will be manning the call center in Baton Rouge and at the show’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., during and after the show.
“A lot of people do not like to call the police,” Walsh said.
Renee Cline, a member of both the Louisiana State Police and the Task Force, said the crew would visit some of the grave sites and the Brian Harris Chevrolet dealership to look at white trucks. Three witnesses have provided various descriptions to the Task Force of a white truck seen at at least two of the murders.
Walsh will dedicate one hour to the serial killer investigation. The show will air Saturday night at 8 p.m. on channel 6.
Anyone with information concerning the investigation can call the tipline at 389-3310 or 1-866-389-3310.