Family believes body is Ray Lachney

    A week after a badly decomposed body was found by a railroad track outside of Mansura, authorities are still not confirming the identity or the suspected cause of death of the deceased. The body is believed to be that of Ray Paul Lachney, who had been missing exactly six months when his stepfather, Brian Paquin, found the remains.

   Paquin and other family and friends of Lachney’s had undertaken a three-day search of the Mansura area trying to find any trace of the missing man. Paquin found the body near the railroad tracks on Dr. T-Doo’s Road just outside of Mansura. Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office (APSO) investigators and Coroner L.J. Mayeux have refused to confirm the identity or gender of the person. They have also refused to confirm reports that a wallet with Lachney’s identification was found at the scene.

  The Forensic Anthropology and Computer Enhancement Services (FACES) Lab at LSU-Baton Rouge is assisting to identify the remains through facial reconstruction and DNA tests.

   Lachney’s mother, Debbi Lott of New Orleans, said she does not know why her son’s body was not found sooner. APSO Chief Deputy Steve Martel said officers had searched that area earlier in the year, but heavy vegetation would have hidden the body from view. The area is largely defoliated now, which made the body easier to spot during the family’s search.

   Martel said the APSO cannot comment on the possible identity of the deceased until a positive identification is made by the forensics lab.