Cottonport, Louisiana – On a hot summer morning in 2014, Steve Ducote and his wife Missy made a horrifying discovery – their youngest daughter, Megan, lying on the floor with blood around her head. Despite their efforts, Megan succumbed to her injuries in the hospital the following day.
It appeared to Steve Ducote that Megan had shot herself, as the gun was nearby and she was found alone behind locked doors. However, the events that unfolded after the shooting raised suspicions. Megan’s husband, Dustin Parra, arrived on the scene minutes after being called and acted strangely. His behavior, coupled with the handling of evidence by the lead detective Christopher Knight, raised doubts in Steve Ducote’s mind.
After conducting their investigation, Steve and Missy Ducote learned that the photos taken at the crime scene still existed on the officer’s camera. Obtaining copies of these photos, the Ducotes uncovered evidence that led them to believe Megan had been murdered. They spent years pressing for a reinvestigation of the case, eventually enlisting the help of former FBI agents.
The turning point in the case came in 2021 when an independent crime scene analyst was hired to examine the evidence. A photo of blood-spattered shorts worn by Dustin Parra on the day of the shooting reignited the cold case, leading the analyst to conclude that Dustin had been present when the gun was discharged.
Despite differing opinions from other experts, Steve Ducote remains determined to seek justice for his daughter’s death, leading the fight for nearly a decade. The case’s complexities continue to challenge the quest for truth, but the Ducotes remain resolute in their pursuit for justice for Megan Parra.