Woman, 24, found murdered near Mandeville walking trail, killer still at large

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Lizeht Rodriguez, 24, was killed near the Northlake Nature Center in St. Tammany Parish on Wednesday. Authorities are asking the public for help in identifying the suspect.

Homicide investigation launched after woman's body found near Northlake Nature Center

St. Tammany Parish authorities confirmed Friday that 24-year-old Lizeht Rodriguez was murdered near a popular walking trail just east of Mandeville, Louisiana, according to wwltv.com. The St. Tammany Parish Coroner's office had declared her death a homicide the night before.

Rodriguez arrived at the Northlake Nature Center off U.S. 190 at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, with her dog in a silver Honda Civic. Her body was found among leaves near the trail at around 2 p.m. — roughly 90 minutes after her arrival.

Interim Sheriff Bret Ibert, speaking at a press conference on Friday, said investigators believe she was killed within that 90-minute window. He was unable to provide details about the condition of the body when found, the exact location of the discovery, or whether a murder weapon had been recovered.

Ibert did not identify any suspects, but stated: "We cannot rule out the possibility of the murder being done by a stranger to Lizeht." He added that there are "no cameras that we are aware of" on the trails, and that the department currently has no information about surveillance in the parking lot.

Rodriguez's dog has been spotted by deputies but has not yet been caught, Ibert said.

The sheriff's office is working alongside the FBI, Louisiana State Police, and the district attorney's office as the investigation continues. Ibert urged residents to remain vigilant, travel with companions, and stay in public areas until the perpetrator is found.

Authorities are asking anyone who noticed suspicious activity in the area on Wednesday between noon and 2 p.m. — near the Northlake Nature Center or along walking trails leading to Pelican Park — to call the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office at 985-898-2338. Rodriguez's vehicle, a Honda Civic from the late 2000s or early 2010s, may also be relevant to the investigation.

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)