BATON ROUGE, Louisiana — After more than two weeks of intense searches involving volunteers, K-9 teams, police, and desperate family members, authorities have confirmed the worst fears: 15-year-old Ja’Derrius Minnieweather has been killed.

On Saturday, Baton Rouge police announced the arrest of Maurice Parms in connection with the teenager’s death. A $10,000 reward had been offered during the frantic search for the missing youth.

According to investigators, Ja’Derrius went to visit a longtime friend when he became involved in an argument with the suspect. Witness statements, suspected blood evidence, and surveillance footage reportedly played key roles in building the case that led to Parms’ arrest.

Mugshot images show Parms, a bald man with a mustache wearing an orange jumpsuit, while earlier photos depict Ja’Derrius as a young man with dreadlocks in an orange hoodie. Courtroom and arrest scene photos highlight Parms being led away in handcuffs by law enforcement.

The heartbreaking development has left the teen’s family and the wider community in mourning. Despite the arrest, one painful question remains: the exact circumstances and location of Ja’Derrius’s body.

Police continue to investigate as they work to provide answers and closure for the grieving loved ones. The case has drawn significant attention locally, with many expressing sorrow over the loss of a young life cut short.

This tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly a routine visit with a friend can turn deadly. Authorities urge anyone with additional information about the case to contact Baton Rouge police immediately.

Ja’Derrius Minnieweather will be remembered by those who knew him as a vibrant teenager whose life was taken far too soon.