Crime
Fourth victim in New Orleans car-ramming attack identified as 28-year-old Nicole Perez
Authorities have identified Nicole Perez, a 28-year-old mother from Metairie, Louisiana, as the fourth victim in the tragic New Orleans car-ramming attack that claimed the lives of 10 people and injured dozens more on New Year’s Day.
Perez leaves behind her 4-year-old son, Melo, who is now in the care of close friends.
Perez worked at a deli in Metairie and had recently been promoted to manager, a role she had embraced with dedication and enthusiasm. Her colleagues described her as hardworking, kind, and a source of positivity for everyone around her.
In a heartfelt message shared on a GoFundMe campaign, her friend and employer, Usher-Fall, expressed the grief felt by those who knew Perez:
“It is with sadness that I write this GoFundMe. My friend and manager of our store, Nicole, was killed this morning in the attack on New Orleans’ Bourbon Street. She was so beautiful and full of life. Her son Melo is now without his momma, and we are without our friend and dedicated employee.”
The campaign seeks to raise funds to cover Perez’s burial expenses and provide financial support for her son as he transitions into a new living situation.
Friends and coworkers remember Perez as a devoted mother whose life revolved around her son. “She was an incredible person who brought joy to everyone she met,” one coworker shared.
Melo, her young son, was the light of her life. “Everything she did was for Melo. She was so proud of him,” Usher-Fall added.
The tragic loss of Perez has united her community in grief and solidarity. The GoFundMe campaign has already begun to receive donations, with messages of condolence pouring in from friends, coworkers, and strangers alike.
The attack, described as an act of terrorism by law enforcement, has left a deep scar on the city of New Orleans. As the investigation continues, the families of the victims, including Perez’s, are left grappling with an unfathomable loss.
Perez’s friends hope the community will rally to ensure her son’s future. “Nicole gave so much to us. It’s our turn to give back and make sure her son has everything he needs,” Usher-Fall wrote.
Donations for Melo and Nicole Perez’s burial expenses can be made through the GoFundMe campaign, which continues to grow as more people learn about her story.
Perez’s legacy lives on in the memories of those who knew her and in the future of her beloved son, Melo.
Crime
Wilhelmina Leigh Carlton charged with the murder in stabbing of her boyfriend Darius Montreal Boglin
A 43-year-old woman from Bessemer has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the fatal stabbing of her boyfriend earlier this month, according to authorities.
Court records show Wilhelmina Leigh Carlton, 43, is charged with the murder of Darius Montreal Boglin, 45.
Carlton was booked into the Jefferson County Jail on March 5 and is currently being held without bond.
Officers with the Bessemer Police Department were dispatched at approximately 7:49 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, to the 3100 block of Avenue B following reports of a stabbing.
According to Detective Justin Burmeister, responding officers arrived at the scene and discovered Boglin suffering from a stab wound in a driveway.
Emergency responders attempted to assess his condition, but he was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 8:10 p.m.
Authorities said Carlton was still present at the location when officers arrived and was taken into custody without incident.
Investigators confirmed that Carlton and Boglin were involved in a dating relationship.
Charging documents allege that the fatal incident occurred during an altercation when Boglin allegedly grabbed Carlton from behind, at which point she stabbed him, resulting in his death.
The investigation remains ongoing, and police are asking anyone with additional information related to the case to contact the Bessemer Police Department at 205-425-2411 or 205-481-4366. Tips can also be submitted through the department’s tip line at 205-428-3541, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.