Authorities say a dead body found in an SUV at the Prien Lake Mall in Lake Charles had been in the vehicle for around a month.
Christopher T. Cater, 41, told police that he murdered 72-year-old Sheila Ortega and stashed the body in the vehicle, then opened several loans using her identity.
Ortega was reported missing Sunday, August 20, after family members had gone a month without seeing her. The body and the vehicle were found in the mall parking lot Monday, according to the Calcasieu Sheriff’s Office.
Cater was located at a nearby business and confessed to killing Ortega when confronted by detectives.
“We have seen some strange cases here in Calcasieu Parish, but this case is definitely an unusual one for us,” Calcasieu Sheriff Tony Mancuso said. “We have never seen someone drive around with a dead body in the SUV for 30 days. My prayers go out to the family and friends of Mrs. Sheila, this is a senseless and inhumane tragedy. The body has been sent off for further testing and to determine the cause of death. The investigation is continuing.”
Cater was charged with second-degree murder, unlawful disposal of human remains and identity theft.
