Police are searching for answers after the body of the founder of the Baton Rouge African American History Museum was found stuffed in the trunk of her car.
The car containing the body of Sadie Roberts-Joseph, 75, was discovered Friday evening about three miles from her home, the Advocate reports.
“Our detectives are working diligently to bring the person or persons responsible for this heinous act to justice,” the Baton Rouge Police Department said in a Saturday statement, referring to her as “a treasure to our community.”
Police have not yet identified a cause of death, but Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome offered up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest.
Roberts-Joseph founded the museum in 2001 to educate the region about African American history and culture, and was lauded as a community leader. Her death prompted an outpouring of sadness in Louisiana’s capital. Democratic state Rep. C. Denise Marcelle said in a Facebook post that her “heart is empty.”
“I learned last night that Ms. Sadie Roberts Joseph was found murdered! This woman was amazing and loved her history,” Marcelle said. “She never bothered anyone, just wanted to expand her African American Museum downtown.”
“Whoever knows what happened to her, please contact the authorities and say something,” she added.
