Bunkie man charged in connection body found in Rapides Parish

A Bunkie man is now facing charges in connection with a body found on Hwy. 1 near Alexandria on June 6.

According to the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, the body was that of Gregory Gibbs, 58, Pineville, which had been discovered near a truck parked on private property near the levee off of La. HWY 1 South near Old River Road.

Gibbs official cause of death is still under investigated.

On June 7, RPSO took Chester Lee Sonnier, Jr., 38, into custody without incident in connection with the discovered body. He was booked into the Avoyelles Parish Detention Center. After being released into RPSO custody of RPSO, Sonnier was transported to Rapides Parish, where he was booked into the Detention Center on charges of second-degree murder and a probation violation. He is currently being held on a $1 million bond and a probation hold.

RPSO said the investigation is still ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Shannon Hanks at 318-473-6727, the RPSO Main Office at 318-473-6700 or Crime Stoppers at 318-443-7867.

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